Staff from RCT Zagreb visited the family once a month to provide psychosocial support. On these occasions, the rehabilitation centre provided psychotherapy to the widow, counselling to her daughter with a family therapist, support from a social worker (to observe the children’s welfare and assist with the family’s contact with the health and social welfare system), medical counselling, direct financial help where necessary, and advice regarding the family’s decision whether or not to seek justice. Staff from the rehabilitation centre accompanied the widow to court when she sought compensation and provided crisis support after the trial and when the court reached a negative verdict. These multi-disciplinary interventions had a positive effect on the family, helping them to feel safe and supported by professionals they could trust. Without this help they would have been alone since they had been excluded by the community. 3. Create survivor support groups “A supportive network should be organised around victims composed of different professionals, relatives and friends. Only through cooperation between these actors can victims be helped effectively. RCTV Memoria, Moldova Many rehabilitation centres have created survivor support groups as part of their psychosocial support strategy. These groups bring together torture survivors, their families, other relatives and health and legal professionals. Through these support groups, social bonds can grow and the diversity of actors involved can help to encourage social interaction and emotional support that helps the victim throughout the trial and as part of the longer rehabilitation process. The Kenyan rehabilitation centre IMLU gives one example of how specialised psychosocial support can include group therapy. 39

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