Global Standards on Rehabilitation
IRCT’s Global Standards on Rehabilitation (GSR) are the world’s first comprehensive set of internationally agreed best-practice standards aimed at ensuring survivors of torture can receive the best possible rehabilitation wherever they are.
The GSR were adopted unanimously by IRCT’s General Assembly in October 2020 following a four-year consultation in which more than 90% of all members contributed to their development. They represent a statement of collective wisdom and universal applicability from the world’s largest reservoir of experience in the field of torture rehabilitation, and are thus an integral component of the IRCT’s work going forward.
Watch: All For the Global Standards
“We believe that physicians and other health care professionals can play an important role, not only to prevent torture, but also to help the victims and their families seek justice.”
“The goal is to support member centres with the continuous improvement of the quality and effectiveness of their services.”
“We have a very diverse membership, so this allows us to have a common understanding on what our standards are.”
Download the GSR here:
The GSR include commitments to keep services independent and accountable, ensure non-discriminatory access and the safety of clients, and to support their families. Acknowledging the strong connection between rehabilitation, empowerment and justice, the standards also commit IRCT members to make torture survivors central agents in their rehabilitation work and to help them access justice and advocate for their rights.
Under guidance from IRCT’s Health Advisory Board including Australia member ASeTTS, each of the 17 standards has been broken down into a training module delivered through an E-learning course on IRCT’s Fabo site. Some 40 members contributed video footage explaining one of the standards and what it means for improved rehabilitation work in their context.
GSR in Practice: Latin American Members’ Experience:
GSR 1: Commitment to Victims in Latin America
GSR 3: Safety of Victims in Latin America
GSR 5: Access to Justice in Latin America
GSR 9: Victims’ Participation in Rehabilitation in Latin America
GSR 16: Evaluating Improvements in Quality of Life in Latin America
GSR in Practice: African Members’ Experience:
GSR 3:
Safety of Victims in Africa
GSR 5:
Access to Justice in Africa
GSR 9:
Victims’ Participation in Rehabilitation in Africa
GSR 12:
Care for Staff in Africa
GSR 14:
Advocating for Rehabilitation Funding in Africa
GSR in Practice: Asian Members’ Experience:
GSR 4:
Support to Families in Asia
GSR 5:
Access to Justice in Asia
GSR 9:
Victims’ Participation in Rehabilitation in Asia
GSR 10:
Organisational Capacity in Asia
GSR 14:
Advocating for Rehabilitation Funding in Asia
GSR 16:
Evaluating Improvements in Quality of Life in Asia
Understanding the GSR: Instructional Videos:
Welcome to the e-course on the Global Standards for Rehabilitation!
Standard 1:
Our commitment to victims
Standard 2:
Independent Services
Standard 3:
Safety of victims
Standard 4:
Support to Families
Standard 5:
Access to Justice
Standard 6:
Intake Processes
Standard 7:
Access to Information
Standard 8:
Victims’ Feedback
Standard 9:
Victims’ Participation in Rehabilitation
Standard 10:
Organisational Capacity
Standard 11:
Staff Safety
Standard 12:
Care for Staff
Standard 13:
Share Knowledge
Standard 14:
Advocate for Rehabilitation Funding
Standard 15:
Definition of Quality of Life
Standard 16:
Evaluating Improvements in Quality of Life
Standard 17:
Documenting Our Global Impact
