Looking for stability: Experiences of rehabi- litation for Congolese survivors of torture in Athens and the role of the Congolese community in their support

Introduction: This study explored the experiences of rehabilitation for male Congolese survivors of torture living in Athens, as well as the potential role of the wider Congolese community in Athens in supporting rehabilitation. Methods: In-depth interviews with survivors of torture attending a rehabilitation clinic and key informant interviews with representatives of the wider Congolese community in Athens. Data was thematically analysed to construct and develop codes and themes. Results: 19 survivors and 10 key informants were interviewed. For many survivors, rehabilitation was an unclear concept. Despite the appreciation for services received at the clinic and the amelioration of physical and psychological symptoms, survivors felt rehabilitation was incomplete as it did not meet their accommodation needs nor provide stability through granting refugee status. Survivors were wary of trusting other Congolese people after expeLooking for stability: Experiences of rehabilitation for Congolese survivors of torture in Athens and the role of the Congolese community in their support Maria-Angeliki Psyrraki1, Emilie Venables2, Christos Eleftherakos3, Nathalie Severy4, Declan Barry5, Nikos Gionakis6, Maria Episkopou7, Aikaterini Komita8 and Gianfranco De Maio9 Key points of interest • Survivors of torture from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) felt their rehabilitation was incomplete without stable accommodation, refugee status and employment. • Whilst many survivors did not trust other Congolese people, the local community could still support their rehabilitation by assisting with their integration in Athens. • A synergic, participatory approach is recommended in collaboration between organisations and policy-makers and the local Congolese community. 1) Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Brussels, Athens, Greece. Correspondence to: psyrraki@gmail.com 2) Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Research Unit (LuxOR), Operational Centre Brussels, Luxembourg, Luxembourg. Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Correspondence to: emiliecvenables@gmail.com 3) Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Brussels, Athens, Greece. Correspondence to: celeftherakos@gmail.com 4) Medical Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Brussels, Brussels, Belgium. Correspondence to: severy@clubinternet.fr 5) Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Brussels, Athens, Greece. https://doi.org/10.7146/torture.v30i3.120895 International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. All rights reserved. Correspondence to: declan.barry@yahoo.co.uk 6) Babel Day Centre for the Mental Health of Migrants and Refugees, Athens, Greece Correspondence to: nikosgionakis@gmail.com 7) Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Brussels, Athens, Greece. Correspondence to: episkopoumaria@msn.com 8) Greek Council for Refugees, Athens, Greece. Correspondence to: komita@gcr.gr 9) Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Brussels, Rome, Italy. T O R T U R E V o lu m e 3 0 , N u m b e r 3 , 2 0 2 0 102 S C I E N T I F I C A R T I C L E riencing torture and did not always associate themselves with the local Congolese community. The role of local Congolese leaders and organisations was not seen as replacing the clinical element of rehabilitation but aiding in practical issues such as information sharing and integration, especially in partnership with other organisations. Discussion: Systemic shortcomings in Greece, including poor access to accommodation and insecure asylum status, impeded processes of rehabilitation. Many participants found themselves navigating an unstable and unpredictable landscape in their journey towards “feeling whole again”. The role of the wider Congolese community in Athens in supporting rehabilitation remains complex and a lack of trust threatens social cohesion. Nonetheless, the willingness of the community to be more proactive should not be ignored by organisations and policy-makers.