United Nations International Day in Support of Survivors of Torture
On Monday, June 26, the Kovler Center brought together survivors, staff, and supporters to commemorate to mark the United Nations International Day in Support of Survivors of Torture. Amidst a spread of foods from ten countries, much of it prepared by survivors themselves, the Kovler community shared their stories and reflected on their healing journeys. The communal spirit extended to even the preparations for the event — a former participant spent several hours on Zoom instructing a team of volunteers to prepare her exacting and delicious recipe for Haitian stewed chicken and coconut rice. Members of the Client Advisory Council served as emcees and facilitated a candle ceremony in memory of those who have been killed or disappeared. Survivors from across the globe listened to each other with warmth and intent and provided comfort during moments of intense emotion.
Members of the larger community also joined to honor the occasion. Kovler Center co-founder Dr. Irene Martinez discussed how she used humor and friendship to navigate her own imprisonment and torture during the Dirty War in Argentina. The Kovler Center recognized two volunteer leaders, Dr. Rufus Gonzalez and Gertrude Ahegbebu, for their outstanding dedication. A robust network of skilled volunteers not only support core program services, but also help to integrate survivors into their new communities.
Torture survivors live in neighbourhoods across the Chicago region, and their numbers are increasing. Since May 2022, the Kovler Center has seen an unprecedented surge of new referrals to the program.
Although the Center actively serves over 400 survivors, staff have struggled to accommodate a ballooning waitlist of 100 people, plus 200 waiting to be screened for eligibility. This unprecedented demand is driven partly by the mental and societal stresses of the pandemic and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and elsewhere. However, a substantial part of the increase is also by word of mouth — survivors in need are simply hearing about Kovler Center services from others in their community, which is a reflection of the importance and vitality of Kovler’s holistic model of healing.
These survivors need your support — moral, social, and emotional. If you are a mental health clinician or speak a key language (French, Spanish, Dari) and are willing to volunteer your time, the Kovler Center invites you to get in touch. Closer to home, Mayor Brandon Johnson is finally moving forward with the Chicago Torture Justice Memorial on the South Side to commemorate those who endured torture at the hands of the Chicago Police Department. Recognizing, treating, and ending torture is a goal to which we can all contribute, no matter where we live.
The significance of June 26: 1987 is a year that includes two major milestones in human rights.
On June 26, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment took effect. Later that fall, the Marjorie Kovler Center was founded here in Chicago to address the complex needs of survivors of torture. In the decades since, the Kovler Center has supported transformative change in the lives of thousands of survivors, applying a holistic model of healing and community to rebuild the bonds that are deliberately broken through torture.
