Resources
Welcome to the SURVIVORS Resource Page!​
Here you will find professional articles, educational and training materials, worksheets, and more to help our community better understand and support the needs of torture survivors.
All Videos
All Videos
SURVIVORS' Interdisciplinary Discussion: The Istanbul Protocol (featuring Dr. Vincent Iacopino)
Educator Training Part II
Educator Training Part I
SURVIVORS Open Call Video
The Istanbul Protocol & Survivors’ Work
The Istanbul Protocol is the United Nations’ internationally recognized set of guidelines for the effective investigation and documentation of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. It provides legal and medical standards for documenting physical and psychological evidence of torture and is widely used in asylum, human rights, and accountability processes around the world.
​
Survivors of Torture International is committed to advancing the principles of the Istanbul Protocol by supporting torture survivors through trauma-informed care and by contributing to efforts that strengthen documentation, accountability, and access to protection. Our interdisciplinary work with survivors—across medical, mental health, and social services—aligns with the Protocol’s emphasis on ethical, survivor-centered approaches to assessment and care.
We also support legal and advocacy partners by helping ensure survivors have access to services that stabilize health and well-being, enabling meaningful participation in documentation and asylum processes when appropriate. Below is a curated list of resources related to the Istanbul Protocol for clinicians, legal advocates, students, and human rights practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding or application of the Protocol.
SURVIVORS' Educator Training Handbook & Videos
Survivors of Torture International developed an Educator Training Handbook and companion videos to support teachers, school staff, and youth-serving professionals working with students impacted by complex trauma. Created and distributed across San Diego, these resources are designed to increase understanding of how trauma, displacement, and violence can affect learning, behavior, and emotional regulation in the classroom.
​
The handbook and videos provide practical, trauma-informed guidance for recognizing signs of complex trauma, responding to student needs with empathy and consistency, and fostering safe, supportive learning environments. Grounded in real-world classroom contexts, the materials emphasize strategies that promote resilience, strengthen relationships, and reduce re-traumatization.
​
By equipping educators and youth-serving professionals with accessible tools and shared language, these resources help bridge gaps between education and healing. Below is a collection of materials from the Educator Training series for those seeking to better support students with complex trauma and create more inclusive, responsive schools.
Professional Articles on Torture, Torture Survivors, and Specialized Care