The mission of Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma is to alleviate the suffering of those who have experienced the trauma of torture, to educate the local, national, and world community about the needs of torture survivors, and to advocate on their behalf.

Welcome to the home page of Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (ASTT). We are based in Baltimore, Maryland, and operate a satellite office in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Wheaton. (Click here for directions to either office.)


Karen Hanscom, ASTT Director, is a “Phenomenal Woman”. Read about her in the February edition of O Magazine

We invite you to learn about our work, which includes specialized mental health services and social services for survivors of torture and war trauma. Our website also includes useful resources on torture, its consequences, and the needs of survivors, as well as links to other organizations active in this field.

We also invite you to find out how you can help support ASTT's programs, either through volunteering your time or making a donation.

“ASTT is a light for me, a guide for me now.” - ASTT client

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