Direct Services for Survivors of Torture

intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering and committed by a person acting under the color of law upon another person who one has under one’s custody or physical control (18 U.S.C. 2340).  The DS SOT Program encompasses a comprehensive approach to supporting the integration and well-being of survivors of torture through the following two objectives: to increase survivors' access to and engagement with effective, holistic, strengths-based, trauma-informed services; and to maintain and grow a strong and sustainable national network of culturally responsive service providers. Services and activities under the DS SOT Program include, but are not limited to, the following: culturally and linguistically appropriate, trauma-informed coordination of care encompassing case management, legal assistance, medical and mental health services, housing, and occupational and educational services; coordination with other service providers, including the State Refugee Coordinator and State Refugee Health Coordinator, to ensure seamless access to services for survivors; and outreach to and engagement with survivors, thereby ensuring their empowerment and integration, especially in the case of marginalized survivor sub-groups such as refugees, survivors of gender-based violence, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.