The Center for Victims of Torture
Our work began with a simple conversation. As a young volunteer for Amnesty International, Rudy Perpich, Jr. asked his father – then Governor of Minnesota – a tough question: “What are you doing for human rights?” Inspired by his son’s challenge, Governor Perpich directed a committee of human rights experts to research various initiatives. The most ambitious proposal from this group was a rehabilitation center for survivors of torture.
Governor Perpich embraced the idea. He went to Copenhagen, Denmark, to visit the first treatment center in the world, the Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims, and appointed a task force to determine how such a center could be established in Minnesota.
CVT was founded in 1985 as an independent nongovernmental organization. For the first two years care was provided at the International Clinic of St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center. In 1987 we moved to a more home-like and less institutional setting that would feel welcoming to survivors.
Today CVT provides care from our St. Paul Healing Center. The house was designed to meet the needs of torture survivors, with domestic furnishings, large windows and rooms with rounded or angled corners to create an environment much different from the stark square rooms with glaring lights that most torture survivors experienced.
Contact:
Telephone: (International Code +1) (612) 436-4800
Toll Free: 1-(877) 265-8775 Torture survivor rehabilitation services in Minnesota: (612) 436-4840 Email: CVT@CVT.org International Headquarters: 2356 University Avenue West, Suite 430
St. Paul, MN 55114 USA For more locations, click here
How can I contribute to the mission of this organization? To take action that furthers the mission of CTV one can Donate, educate oneself on aiding refugees and asylum seekers, sign up for CTVs e-Newsletter, and many more educational resources click here.
