Support for the Ulm Treatment Center for Torture Victims

We supported the treatment center for torture victims in Ulm with a donation of 1,500 euros. Every year, it treats around 200 people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders due to their flight and/or persecution, combined with fear and existential insecurity. More than 150,000 refugees live in Baden-Württemberg, of whom around 30% require treatment - a frightening proportion.

Due to the ever-present shortage of resources, many must be turned down or encouraged to make room for the next patient after even minor treatment successes. Criteria for admission include physician reports, clinic reports, and initial assessment during therapeutic admission. The "A-criterion", however, is persecution and flight.

80% of the people do not have a secured right of residence - here, too, the treatment center assists with the asylum procedure. The hearing is often difficult due to the feeling of shame and also the fear for the surviving relatives in the home country. Even with trained interpreters in over 30 languages, the flow of information sometimes fails due to nuances. The therapist is no longer just a therapist, but must use expertise to accurately document the treatment process. The treatment center, with a budget of 650,000 euros p.a., must finance itself with a share of 20%. This is done almost exclusively through donations, which costs the team leader, Mr. Makowitzki, a lot of time and ties up resources in addition to all the other tasks that have to be fulfilled. We are pleased that we can support this project in Ulm with 1.500,-€.

For more information about the work of the Ulm Treatment Center, please visit www.bfu-ulm.de.