The Center for Victims of Torture Review
Mission Statement:
“We heal victims of torture through unique services and professional care worldwide. We strengthen partners who heal torture survivors and work to prevent torture. We advocate for the protection & care of torture survivors and an end to torture” (CVT’s website).
Part 1. INGO Brief
Headquarters:
649 Dayton Avenue St Paul, MN 55104
Annual Budget:
2012 Support/Revenue: $10,311,443.00
2012 Expenses: $10,362,758.00
Revenue: program services, third-party billings, speaking fees, investment return, and misc. returns.
Public Support: rebuilding lives campaign, corporate donations, individual donations, and foundation donations.
Organizational Structure:
501(C)(3)
Board of Directors: See the organization’s website.
Interactions w/other INGOs: CVT works with many other organizations to provide international services and facilities to torture victims. Such organizations as, Vive Zene in Bosnia, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization in Cambodia, Restart Center Lebanon, and Survivors Associated in Sri Lanka work with CVT in various regions.
Part 2. Achievement Essay
The Center for Victims of Torture was started by Minnesota Governor Perpich in 1985. Their aim is to advocate and heal those who suffered at the hands of torture worldwide. They became an internationally operating organization in 1993 working with torture victims in Bosnia and Croatia. In 1999, they launched their first direct healing program working with Sierra Leonean refugees. They have since expanded services to almost every continent but work mostly in the Near East and Africa. To emulate a wide variety of advocacy measures the CVT assist in training initiatives for centers worldwide as well as having a presence around Washington D.C. and the United Nations along with their core direct programs.
The Center for Victims of Torture would embody a successful and trustworthy INGO. In terms of financial integrity, the CVT continually ranks high on various non-profit watch sites for the management of its finances. For instance, Charitywatch.org gives the CVT a grade of A- for how it spends donor money. Charitynavigator.org gives the CVT a 60 out of 80 points for financial, accountability and transparency measures. As well as sound internal management, the CVT pushes nations and international governance in regards to advocacy for human rights. The CVT led efforts to end, or minimize, the practice of torture in the US government, including Obama’s executive order banning torture and cruel treatment (CVT.org). In 1992, with a minimal presence in Washington D.C., the organization, along with faith-based groups, spearheaded a movement to open up over $400,000 dollars to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture that the United States was withholding (CVT.org).
The organization is successful in assisting and training victim centers around the world. If the CVT is not directly involved in healing they help educate refugees and skilled counselors to better help people in areas lacking mental health care. Paraprofessionals undergo intense training and education in order to train others to heal torture victims in some of the most war-torn and damaged places on earth. Former counselors trained by the CVT have gone to assist the International Criminal Court, the Special Court for Sierra Leone and other areas where extensive mental health is needed (CVT.org). The CVT also has numerous places around the world where direct intervention programs are enacted. The centers the CVT use to assist children, women and men with the extensive healing process that’s required to overcome torture. The treatment is not just mental health but also many other aspects of physical health like physical therapy and medical treatment. The CVT even assist victims in readjusting to life after the healing process has slowed to the point that life can re-engage.
Work Cited
http://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html#humanrts
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6486#.Up9qP8RDuSo
