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Program for Torture Victims rebuilds the lives of torture survivors from over 70 countries who have stood up for freedom, equality, and human dignity.

Help sponsor a survivor of torture or persecution who has stood up for freedom, equality and human dignity.

What We Do

Among PTV's services to asylum seekers and the torture survivor community, this is our approach:

Psychological Counseling

As the pioneer in torture rehabilitation, PTV has developed an integrated and successful approach to healing survivors. Our mental health program includes individual and family psychotherapy, psychological evaluation, psychiatric evaluation and follow-up care.

Outpatient Medical & Dental Care

Most of our survivors are not eligible for government or workplace health insurance during their first year in the United States. PTV provides immediate medical care by physicians who specialize in trauma at our PTV Human Rights Health Clinic at USC Eisner. PTV also offers emergency or trauma-related dental care through our partnership with the USC Dental Clinic.

Legal Support

PTV works with an extensive network of attorneys and legal aid organizations to ensure high-quality legal assistance for our clients. Our staff conducts forensic medical and psychological evaluations, serves as expert witnesses for asylum cases in federal immigration proceedings, and for human rights or war crimes trials in international courts. Additionally, we provide training to attorneys, federal immigration officers and judges.

Complementary Therapies

PTV uses a holistic and integrated approach to healing that includes massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, art therapy, and theatre, which are provided through our innovative partnerships with local teaching institutions or by dedicated volunteer professionals.

Social Services & Healing Groups

PTV provides basic needs such as emergency cash assistance, food, clothing, as well as linkages to permanent housing and employment. Our peer support groups create a sense of community for clients, allow them to share experiences, and empower them to become spokespeople against the use of torture.

Public Education & Advocacy

PTV initiates public programs to educate the general public about the global use of government-sponsored torture and persecution and its consequences for individuals and society. We also stay in close contact with elected officials and policymakers in efforts to identify and combat human rights abuses. We advocate for resources for survivors so that they get what they need to heal and reunite with their families.
PTV Introductory Video

An Introduction to Program for Torture Victims

Watch a short introductory video about PTV's mission, goals and what we do to heal, empower and work for a world without torture.

Our Story

The story of the Program for Torture Victims begins with two people: Dr. Jose Quiroga and Ana Deutsch.

Dr. José Quiroga

DR. JOSÉ QUIROGA

Co-founder, PTV

Ana Deutsch

Ana Deutsch

Co-founder, PTV

These pioneers in the torture rehabilitation movement founded the first program in the United States dedicated to treating torture survivors years before torture was legally defined. As refugees themselves, they understood the difficulties of dealing with trauma while simultaneously having to rebuild a support system of friends, family and employment.

In 1980, these pioneers in the torture rehabilitation movement founded the first program in the United States dedicated to treating torture survivors years before torture was legally defined. As refugees themselves, they understood the difficulties of dealing with trauma while simultaneously having to rebuild a support system of friends, family and employment.

From the beginning, PTV established a multidisciplinary approach to the rehabilitation of torture survivors that included medical, psychological, case management and legal services. Dr. Quiroga and Ms. Deutsch had begun to treat clients in local clinics and in their own homes.

Dedicated to growing the impact of PTV, Dr. Quiroga and Ms. Deutsch have helped to develop PTV into a critical resource for newly-arrived asylum seekers and torture survivors.

PTV has recently moved to its new home location in Koreatown. The agency has also recently launched a new partnership with the USC Eisner Family Medical Center and the USC Keck Medical School which has allowed PTV to dramatically increase the capacity and scope of its PTV Human Rights Health Clinic. PTV is committed to ensuring that all survivors, regardless of medical insurance coverage, have access to a PTV primary care physician, a USC Keck Physician Resident, and specialty care.

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