Assistance Centre for Torture Survivors- ACET
The Assistance Centre for Torture Survivors - ACET is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 1995. The Centre's main focus is that of providing medical and psychological rehabilitation for torture survivors in Bulgaria, namely victims of the communist regime as well as refugees and asylum seekers in the country.
The rehabilitation programme for the provision of medical and psychological services for the victims of torture currently functions in six different cities/regions of Bulgaria, i.e. Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Stara Zagora, Kazanluk and Isperih.
ACET is an accredited member of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims - IRCT since 2002 and part of the Balkan Network for the Prevention of Torture and Rehabilitation of Victims (BA.N), and the SOS-Network of the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT).
Staff
The team of ACET is comprised of 20 professionals. The staff members in Sofia include a psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, MD, cardiologist, social worker, administrative projects assistant, accountant. Each of the rehabilitation teams providing services in the rest of the country consist of a social worker and a medical expert.
Primary objectives
a. Eradicate the practices of torture and other cruel or inhuman treatment;
b. Contribute to improving the health and social status of torture survivors;
c. Provide comprehensive rehabilitation services for victims of torture and political persecution in Bulgaria;
d. Develop rehabilitation services for the victims of political repression and persecution amongst the Turkish minority in Bulgaria;
e. Training of law enforcement personnel in the field of human rights and prevention of torture and violence against detainees;
Projects
a. "Psychosocial support and medical rehabilitation for victims of torture and political persecution (refugees/asylum seekers and Bulgarian nationals) and their family members"
b. "Improving police practices and professional capacity of the duty police units for reception of citizens and work with victims of crimes"
c. Two-fold project: "Opening a reception for the victims of political repression in the region of Isperih" and "Improving the capacity of the staff to provide rehabilitation services to the representatives of the Turkish ethnic minority - victims of political persecution during the communist regime"
d. "Technology enhancement project - enhancing the technological capacity of the organization and development of a new clients database"
Activities
Having the aim of raising public awareness, ACET regularly organizes public events such as conferences and seminars on various topics concerning its activities and field of action. This is done in view of helping the general public and professionals alike to gain a better understanding about the implications of torture and its consequences on the victims.