Emine, Senior Psychological Therapist - 40th anniversary

“Without Freedom from Torture people would have been lost”

Emine experienced the brutality of seeing her loved ones beaten and imprisoned. Then she was taken away from her baby and detained when he was just 20 days old. She has worked as a counsellor at Freedom from Torture since 2008 and seen the amazing outcomes of therapy.

It is important to remember that sometimes a person can’t yet tell their whole story, but it is important that they are given the chance...to hear them, to trust them.

When therapy is successful, there are some really amazing outcomes. I see people learn the language, gain further education, find work. People can regain themselves after all that was taken from them through torture. It is very rewarding. I believe that without Freedom from Torture and our compassionate and generous supporters, people would have been lost.

Sadly, we don’t have enough capacity at the moment to help more people, but the referrals we receive are at an unbelievable amount, with 15 to 20 new people each week.

We do everything we can, but we have no choice but to turn some people away. It breaks my heart every time, because I know from personal experience how vital Freedom from Torture support is.

I still experience terrible flashbacks to my time in detention. I’m so thankful to have my Freedom from Torture family around me.

My message to supporters is simple. Thank you so much. Every time you donate you can change a person’s life. Even a small amount of money helps people to heal. Regain themselves. Become more resourceful. Have their place in the world again.