Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture

URVT Contract Title Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) II Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) III Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) IV Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) V Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) VI Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) VII Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) VIII Contract Number YA/ETΠ/2005/3 07/CYP/LS/400(b) YA/ETΠ/2007/4 G_594DA_11 G_594DA_13 G_594DA_14 G_594DA_15 G_594DA_16 Funding Period 01/07/2006-31/12/2007 01/01/2008-31/12/2008 01/01/2009-31/12/2009 01/01/2010-30/06/2010 01/01/2011-31/12/2011 01/01/2013-31/12/2013 01/01/2014-31/12/2014 01/01/2015-31/12/2015 01/01/2016-31/12/2016 Total Cost £41,225 £70,746 €101,995 €30,515 €44,104 $181,125.00 (2011) $105,780.00 (2013) $97,638.00 (2014) $123,344.00 (2015) $103,136.00 (2016) Website http://www.urvt.org/

Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) is a specialised unit to assist victims of torture by providing them with multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation services. It was launched in 2006 and runs since under Future Worlds Center. URVT is currently funded by the UNVFVT (United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture).

Overall Objective

Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture’s (URVT) mission is to support and promote the empowerment and rehabilitation of people who have been subjected to torture, inhumane, degrading treatment or punishment in their country of origin and/or in Cyprus. Victims are mainly refugees and asylum seekers, and at times victims of trafficking. URVT’s aim is to assist victims and their families to rehabilitate and to integrate into the local society.

URVT adopted a holistic approach to rehabilitation offering a full range of services, including psychological support and rehabilitation; legal counselling and assistance throughout the asylum procedures; and social counselling during the rehabilitation process. The URVT team works alongside the UNHCR funded project Strengthening Asylum. URVT also works on raising awareness among the local community on torture related issues.

URVT operates according to the standards of the Istanbul Protocol - United Nations Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment - and its services are offered to the beneficiaries by specialised, experienced, and well-trained personnel.

URVT runs under the Humanitarian Affairs Unit of the Future Worlds Center.

History and Credits

[[Elia Petridou is credited for the creation of the Unit, Larry Fergesson for securing UNVFT funding for many years and Corina Drousiotou for heading and stabilizing its operations. Many people supported the worked at the Unit.

Activities/Services

• Psychological support
• Legal counselling
• Social Support
• Awareness Raising