The project
offered crucial support to 141 survivors, comprising 75 males and 66 females,
encompassing 123 primary victims and 18 secondary victims. Testimonial therapy
served as a central approach, emphasizing empathy and open communication to
establish a secure space for survivors to express their traumatic experiences.
Both individual and group therapy sessions were conducted, with a specific
focus on aiding those affected by police torture and administrative repression.
Prior to
commencing testimonial therapy, a pre-M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation)
questionnaire was administered to conduct a comprehensive assessment. This
aimed to map the WHO I 5, pain, and anger analogues, providing insights into
the baseline psychological state of the survivors. The gathered information
guided the customization of therapy sessions to meet the unique needs of
participants, who engaged in four sessions designed to foster empathy and
create a secure environment for expression.
Testimonial
therapy emerged as a vital tool in breaking the culture of silence and
alleviating fear among survivors. The project achieved significant milestones
by not only providing psycho-social support to individual survivors but also
extending its positive impact to their families. The transformative process
initiated by testimonial therapy played a pivotal role in breaking down
barriers, encouraging open communication, and positively influencing the
broader support network.
Survivors
utilized testimonial therapy sessions as a platform to share their stories,
resulting in a cathartic experience. Addressing the psychological impact of
trauma led to a reported decrease in fear and phobia associated with their
experiences. The therapy facilitated a sense of empowerment, enabling survivors
to overcome the pervasive silence and stigma surrounding their traumatic past.
In addition
to individual therapy sessions, testimonial therapy was extended to groups
affected by police torture and administrative repression. This community
outreach proved essential in addressing collective trauma and fostering
solidarity among survivors. The positive impact of testimonial therapy
transcended individual cases, encouraging open dialogue and mutual support
within the broader community.
The project
successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of testimonial therapy in providing
psycho-social support to survivors of trauma. Through breaking the culture of
silence and fear, testimonial therapy empowered survivors to share their
stories and facilitated a transformative process that extended beyond
individual cases. The project made significant contributions to creating an
environment where survivors feel supported and empowered, laying the foundation
for continued healing and resilience in the face of traumatic experiences.
Notably, the
survivors included 135 cases of police torture, 3 cases of custodial death, 2
cases of extra-judicial killing, and 1 case of custodial torture. These
survivors were from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand in India.
https://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2024/01/breaking-silence-fostering-empowerment.html
