Building Bridges of Hope: Empowering Victims of Torture Through Innovation and Solidarity

Building Bridges of Hope: Empowering Victims of Torture Through Innovation and Solidarity

By Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi | Concept Developed by Dr. Mohanlal Panda

A Silent Crisis, A Collective Response

Torture remains one of the most brutal violations of human dignity—inflicting wounds far beyond the physical realm. In India, victims of custodial violence, organized brutality, and systemic oppression often suffer in silence, with limited access to justice or psychological care. The project “Empowering Victims of Torture by Strengthening Victim Support and Building Information Bridges”, implemented by Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN) with support from Gwangju Human Rights Peace Foundation (GHPF), seeks to transform this grim reality into one of resilience, empowerment, and reform.

Why This Project Matters

The initiative addresses three critical gaps in victim support:
✔ Access to Information – Survivors often lack knowledge of their legal rights and available services.
✔ Psychosocial Care – Trauma recovery requires culturally sensitive, survivor-centered approaches.
✔ Legal Redress – Institutional interventions are essential for justice and systemic change.

Through a multi-pronged strategy, the project integrates technology, community-based healing, and advocacy to ensure that survivors move from testimony to transformation.

Innovation in Action: The Connect+ Platform

One of the most groundbreaking components is Connect+, an ICT-based platform designed as a safe digital space for survivors. It enables:

  • Peer Support Communities – Survivors share stories and build solidarity.

  • Access to Professionals – Lawyers, counselors, and social workers are available for guidance.

  • Resource Hub – Legal rights, mental health services, and welfare schemes in one click.

Early Achievements:

  • 47 survivors onboarded during beta testing, 62% from Dalit and Muslim communities.

  • 14 professional volunteers (lawyers, counselors, social workers) joined the support network.

  • 28 testimonies collected, paving the way for policy advocacy.

The platform officially launches on 15 August 2025, symbolizing freedom, dignity, and hope.

Healing the Invisible Wounds

Recovery from torture is a deeply personal and social process. The project introduced testimonial therapy, a culturally adapted approach validated by global trauma research (Weine, 2006; Herman, 1992).

Key Interventions:

  • 70 testimonial therapy sessions conducted across Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

  • Peer support circles formed in affected communities.

  • Family counseling restored broken relationships.

  • 18 high-risk cases referred for psychiatric care through Connect+.

Survivors reported reduced isolation, emotional relief, and renewed confidence to participate in community life.

Justice as a Path to Healing

Legal empowerment is central to restoring dignity. Between January and June 2025:

  • 85 survivors received legal aid, including representation and petition drafting.

  • ₹4.1 million compensation secured through NHRC in nine cases of custodial violence.

  • Emergency advocacy protected Indigenous land rights in Sonbhadra district.

These victories are not just legal—they are psychological milestones affirming that justice is possible.

Knowledge as Power: Research and Dissemination

JMN’s approach combines action with advocacy:

  • Contributions to the IRCT Global Evaluation Report (2024) on livelihood rehabilitation for torture survivors.

  • Publication of survivor stories and policy blogs that reached over 1,200 readers globally.

  • Engagement of youth interns in legal literacy campaigns and international forums like the May 18 Academy, Gwangju.

This dual emphasis ensures that field realities inform policy reforms and that survivors’ voices shape global human rights discourse.

Looking Ahead: From Isolation to Solidarity

By December 2025, the project aims to:

  • Expand Connect+ membership to 150 survivors.

  • Collect 150 testimonies for advocacy.

  • Conduct monthly webinars on trauma care and survivor rights.

This initiative exemplifies a bottom-up model of transitional justice, where survivors are not passive recipients but agents of change.

Why This Model Deserves Global Attention

The JMN-PVCHR survivor-centric approach resonates with principles of transformative justice—linking individual healing with structural reform. Its innovative use of digital platforms, coupled with community-driven psychosocial support, offers a replicable blueprint for human rights defenders worldwide.

As Dr. Panda reflects:

“Empowerment begins when survivors reclaim their voice. Technology, law, and compassion—when combined—can dismantle the walls of silence and build bridges of hope.”

Read More:

📌 This article draws insights from the interim project report submitted to GHPF by Jan Mitra Nyas (2025).

This blog is based on the interim progress of the project “Empowering Victims of Torture by Strengthening Victim Support and Building Information Bridges,” developed and conceptualized by Dr. Mohanlal Panda. The article is authored by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi to highlight the ongoing impact and vision of the initiative.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“The Station House Officer said: ‘We will not let your son become an MBBS doctor.’”

Image
  “The Station House Officer said: ‘We will not let your son become an MBBS doctor.’” My name is Chakradhari Yadav. I am 51 years old and a resident of Village Madhi, Police Station—Newadia, District—Jaunpur. My father’s name was the late Nandlal Yadav. My wife’s name is Sitamuni. I belong to the Ahir (Yadav) caste. I support my family by working in the fields. I have two sons and two daughters. The eldest daughter is Neetu (28 years old), my second child is Pradyumn (26), the third is my daughter Rishu (23), and the youngest is my son Pravendra. One Diwali, I decided to bring my son home from college—a decision that turned out to cost me dearly. I had no idea that this simple, affectionate act would become the cause of such immense trouble. Had I known, I would never have called him home. That night changed everything. As I was sleeping on a cot in our home, my younger son Pravendra came running and told me, “Papa, a man has fallen off a motorcycle.” Hearing this, I rushed to t...
Read more

Towards a Torture-Free Society: A Call for Justice, Humanity, and Reform

Image
  Towards a Torture-Free Society: A Call for Justice, Humanity, and Reform By PVCHR (People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights) Date: 26 June 2025 – UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture On 26 June 2025, PVCHR marked the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture with a powerful appeal for justice, dignity, and reform. Founder Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and National Coordinator Mr. Onkar Vishwakarma issued a heartfelt video message, amplifying the voices of survivors and calling for systemic change. The video was curated by PVCHR intern, Mr. Ankit Singh , as part of the organization’s commitment to stand with survivors and advocate for a torture-free world . The Deep Roots of Non-Violence in Indian Tradition India’s ancient Sanatan and Shraman traditions uphold Ahimsa (non-violence) and the intrinsic dignity of every human being. These principles resonate with the global ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam —the belief that the whole world is one family. N...
Read more

For a Few Rupees: The Tragic Death of Ibrahim and the Global Fight Against Custodial Torture

Image
 Dependent Receiving Compensation at District Magistrate Office, Sonbhadra Link:  https://medium.com/@lenin_75290/for-a-few-rupees-the-tragic-death-of-ibrahim-and-the-global-fight-against-custodial-torture-28ee6607a65d On February 7, 2022, a routine day turned into a nightmare for Sahiba Bano , a resident of Banaura village in Uttar Pradesh, India. Her husband, Ibrahim, a hardworking man who earned a living as a tempo driver, was detained by the police under dubious circumstances. What followed was a harrowing tale of corruption, extortion, and state-sanctioned violence — culminating in his death in judicial custody. When Ibrahim was arrested, the police demanded a bribe of 10,000 rupees (approximately $120) for his release. When Sahiba pleaded for mercy, the police mocked her, stating, “If you do not pay, your husband will be killed.” Days later, she received a devastating phone call — her husband had allegedly committed suicide in jail. But when his body was retur...
Read more