Our Work
The practice of torture takes place throughout the world. Oppressive governments make use of torture to intimidate or silence their critics, to bolster authoritarian rule, to create an environment of fear, or to extract information. Amnesty International has documented reports of torture from over 140 different countries.
Torture takes many forms, and its consequences—physical, emotional, and psychological—can be devastating. (Read more about torture and its effects.)
Devastating as well are the many forms of violence that affect individuals caught amid warring sides in conflict. In order to assert power and instill terror among target groups, combatants commit rape and other forms of gender-based violence, maim and kill civilians, destroy communities, or abduct young children who are then forced to become soldiers in their cause.
Recovering from the effects of torture and war-related violence can be a long and difficult process. Access to specialized care, appropriate social services and emotional support can help survivors regain a sense of safety and begin to rebuild their lives.
ASTT provides comprehensive, holistic services for survivors of torture and war trauma who live in the Baltimore-Washington region. We are dedicated to fostering a process of healing that enables survivors to rediscover their sense of hope for the future.
Who we are
Founded in 1994 by a small group of concerned professionals, ASTT is an independent, non-profit organization. We are part of the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Centers a network of service providers who specialize in the care of torture survivors. In addition, ASTT is an accredited member of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. ASTT has also been awarded the Standards of Excellence Award certification of the Maryland Association of Non-Profit Organizations.
ASTT is staffed by dedicated individuals who bring extensive professional skills and a rich diversity of experience to their work. (Read ASTT staff profiles.)
What we do
At our two offices in Baltimore and the Washington, D.C. area, ASTT
- offers counseling and specialized treatment in a safe, caring, and confidential environment;
- provides psychological assessments and expert testimony for asylum cases; and
- facilitates access to social services and resources, including medical and legal aid, housing, language training, and employment opportunities.
In addition to these direct services for survivors, ASTT also
- provides specialized training for legal and health professionals so as to increase their ability to respond to the needs of torture survivors;
- raises community awareness about torture, its consequences, and the needs of survivors; and
- advocates for the abolition of torture worldwide through publications, the media, conferences, and other forums.
Through our advocacy and public education work, ASTT promotes consciousness of torture as a global concern and provides insight into the situation of survivors here in the greater Baltimore area. As an active participant in the Mayor of Baltimore’s Immigration Working group, ASTT speaks out for the needs of refugees and asylum seekers.
ASTT has no religious, political, or economic agenda. We do not exclude members of any nationality, religion, or ethnic group. All of our services for torture survivors are provided completely free of charge.
The need for ASTT’s services is great, and ever-growing.
According to the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, there are 500,000 survivors of torture and war-related trauma now living in the United States. Of these, an estimated 40,000 live in the Washington/Baltimore area.
Many of these individuals carry in silence the burden of long-term effects—physical, psychological, and emotional—related to the abuse they experienced in their home countries.
As one of only three specialized care centers for torture survivors in the mid-Atlantic region, ASTT helps fulfill an urgent need. The demand for our services is great, and the number of individuals we serve has increased tremendously over the past five years. View a chart on the growth of ASTT's client base.
Who funds our work
We are able to carry out our vital work because of financial support from international, federal, and state sources. These include the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Torture Survivors, the U.S. Government’s Office of Refugee Resettlement, and the Maryland Victims of Crime Assistance Program.
ASTT also relies on donations from concerned individuals who wish to help survivors gain access to much-needed services. (Learn how you can help support ASTT.)
Learn more about what we do
Learn more about ASTT’s empowering, client-centered approach, our mental health care services, social services, and special programs for clients.