What can health professionals do to help torture survivors?

• Give the patient time to open up
• Use a professional interpreter so that the patient may get an opportunity to properly explain what he/she has been through
• Dare to ask «uncomfortable» questions
• Show empathy and respect to reduce feelings of guilt and shame
• Record symptoms and signs in the patient’s file that may be compatible with torture
• Refer to medicolegal experts who can write reports
• Refer to specialists and other health care professions who can provide appropriate medical treatment

If you have other good suggestions, please share them below.