9090 emphasised that torture is one of the most serious human rights violations , that it almost always causes serious repercussions , and that it is strictly prohibited internationally .
Later , Kumar admitted that he was unable to think ahead and felt that he was standing on the spot , locked in his traumatic past . He told her that he did not believe that anything could be different , was pessimistic about life , could not concentrate , did not read , did not watch TV . She replied that these were also effects of his torture and ill-treatment . They agreed he should continue to do exercises to lower his stress level .
When the helper told Kumar that his ill-treatment was completely illegal and violated obligations that his country had promised to respect , these ideas gave Kumar a fresh perspective , a new way to interpret and respond to his experience .
HELP AND ACTION
3.6.4 Ali , 15 years old , Northern Iraq . How tools help .
Having lost his father and been sexually abused by his stepfather , Ali fled to a large refugee camp and from there was resettled abroad . Struggling to adapt in his new environment , he experienced several traumatic reactions , including mistrust of others , nightmares , flashbacks , dissociation , anxiety , and depression .
Ali
To deal with these trauma reactions , the helper can :
• Provide psychoeducation for better sleep hygiene . Also provide knowledge about guilt and shame .
• Teach grounding exercises .
• Help Ali to reassert control over his body and physical distance to other people .
• Put words to his feelings and regain influence over his own life .
• Explore the BASIC-Ph model , with an emphasis on physical activity .
• Use the metaphor of the Window of Tolerance .
Ali did not talk much , looked no one in the eye , and ate alone at the reception centre . He preferred to be in his room . At night he had nightmares , and some nights woke up screaming . He would turn on the light , calm down a little , and remain awake through the night .
A helper at the reception saw all this and invited Ali on regular trips to chat . At first , Ali was reluctant , but the helper explained that daylight and movement would help him to sleep . When he tried it , he found it was good to get out . They talked about how he could change the stories in his nightmares and do grounding exercises , such as the Safe Place exercise ( See Appendix 1 .). When he woke at night , the exercise created a safe environment in his mind .
The conversations went better when they walked in the fresh air rather than sat in the office . Because Ali ’ s personal boundaries had been invaded by his stepfather , Ali needed to decide how close the helper should be . When they walked , it was easier for Ali to regulate the distance from his helper .