National Trauma-Informed Care Training Project

The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) is a non-profit founded by a group of Toronto doctors, lawyers and social-service professionals, many of whom were associated with Amnesty International.

They had begun to see survivors of torture in their practices as early as 1977. Many of the survivors were in the process of claiming refugee status in Canada, and it was clear to the founders that in addition to asylum, these individuals needed specialized medical treatment, counselling and legal assistance.

CCVT was incorporated in 1983 as the Canadian Centre for the Investigation and Prevention of Torture. The name was changed in 1988 to better reflect the Centre’s mandate.

The Centre was the second such facility in the world, after DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture, which was founded in 1982. In 2003, CCVT was accredited by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT).

Our Vision

Healing. Community. Hope.Each year, Canada welcomes more than 20,000 refugees, many of them survivors of torture and war. As Canadians, we all want to see these newcomers integrate successfully.

We want them to become productive citizens and be happy in their new journey. For this to happen, they must have the opportunity to heal from their trauma.CCVT is the link to that healing. We provide treatment, tools and support that allow refugees to heal from trauma and become active community members.