
Torture?

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Vital Support
Current Events
First Light Gala
Join us on our Annual Fundraising Gala on November 10th, 2023 at the Old Mill, Toronto. An evening filled with entertainment, awards and more! Your generous donations help us support refugees. We provide treatment, tools and support that allow refugees to heal from trauma and become active community members.
SOLD OUT!
Current Projects
COMING TO TERMS WITH TORTURE: DEVELOPING TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
TRAUMA-INFORMED PROJECT
Working through Community Vaccine Ambassadors
Truth & Reconciliation
From Victims to Survivor
Mental Health
Settlement: Language
and Skills Training
Mentorship for Youth
Training and Education
Legal Advocacy
International
Leadership
Mandate

Let's celebrate world refugee day!
Every year, CCVT and partner agencies follow the theme for UN’s World Refugee Day. Over the past years, we asked staff and CCVT clients to go for a walk and dedicate that walk to all refugees and reflect on the journey that they may have taken to reach safety.
To all refugees – we recognize your strengths, your hard work and contribution to Canadian society. We welcome you and are thankful for your presence.
Most importantly, CCVT expresses great sorrow in the loss of a dear community member, Sarah Hegazi. We stand in solidarity with her, the work she has done and all that she is. May she rest in Power.
Providing refugees a future free from torture, with your help.
Mental Health Counselling
CCVT provides supportive, non-judgmental counselling that helps survivors develop trust and regain a sense of empowerment.
The program includes:
- Confidential assessment by in-house psychiatrists, psychologists and family doctors
- Counselling by highly skilled staff
- Crisis intervention and support services to individuals and families experiencing mental-health crisis
- Individual, family and group counselling
- Referral to treatment
- Public education with a focus on mental health
CCVT Specialized Language And Skills Training
The English Language and Skills Training Program at CCVT is designed specifically for survivors of torture and war trauma.
Such survivors face unique challenges. People suffering from torture-related PTSD may have impaired memory and difficulty concentrating. They may have a fear of groups, or strangers, or authority figures.
Language training courses at CCVT nurture the individual, and cater to the needs of adult learners who suffer from debilitating memories – memories that can make learning difficult and stressful. The CCVT curriculum incorporates themes and activities that encourage mental wellbeing and recovery, as well as the settlement goals of the students.
Settlement Services
Getting settled in a new country is tough at the best of times. For survivors of torture and maltreatment, it’s even harder. Post-traumatic stress, grief, worry about family members back home – these are just some of the extra challenges they face.
CCVT’s settlement team helps refugees overcome these challenges, and start building a new life.
Community Engagement
CCVT Befriending program, an interview published by CAMH Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project:
Mbalu Lumor, Manager, Community Engagement, discusses the Befriending Program at the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture.
Torture is state-organized violence that destroys the will, personality and autonomy of survivors. Research shows that while physical injuries can be treated,
Healing. Community. Hope
1977
Year Founded
123
Countries Served
36,000
Cases
BEATINGS. ELECTROCUTION. RAPE. MUTILATION. SHAM EXECUTIONS.
Our History
Our Vision
CCVT is the link to that healing. We provide treatment, tools, and support that allow refugees to heal from trauma and become active community members.
Foundation
The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) is a non-profit founded by a group of Toronto doctors, lawyers and social-service professionals and many.
CCIP
CCVT was incorporated in 1983 as the Canadian Centre for the Investigation and Prevention of Torture. The name was changed in 1988 to better reflect the Centre’s mandate.
CCVT
The Centre was the second such facility in the world, after DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture, which was founded in 1982.
Questions? Ask!
Latest News
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Partners in Care
84% of our total operating expenses fund programs for client survivors we serve. So when you make a monthly gift or donation to our organization, the majority of your dollars go toward exactly what you intended – supporting survivors in poverty.
We can not do it without your support! Thank you!