Given the extreme trauma they have endured, survivors of torture may suffer from a number of physical, emotional and psychological consequences in both the short- and long-term.

The psychological and emotional consequences of torture are considered to be the most devastating and the most difficult to repair (UN, 1998). Survivors of torture are at high risk of depression, anxiety and PTSD, which may be manifested in recurring and intrusive memories, sleep problems, difficulty in concentrating, impaired memory, fear, anger, sadness and psychosomatic complaints (de C Williams & van der Merwe, 2013) (Kienzler & Sapkota, 2019) (The Center for Victims of Torture, 2015). Panic attacks and substance use are also reported as concerns. Research evidence indicates that torture is the strongest pre-migration predictor of PTSD (Wilson et al., 2010).

Survivors of torture may not feel understood by family members, leaving them emotionally isolated. Meanwhile, friends and family members may struggle with undisclosed guilt for not having successfully protected the survivor (Hassan et al., 2016).

Some of the psychological effects that survivors of torture may experience can lead to a breakdown in family and personal relationships (Berdichevsky, n.d.; FASSTT, n.d.). Among those who flee their country, family separation, language barriers, legal status and social isolation can then become post-migration stressors (Chu et al., 2013). The negative effects of experiencing torture can make survivors feel wary of seeking the help they need. In addition, survivors and their families may have difficulty trusting people and may be suspicious of strangers (Berdichevsky, n.d.).

When they do access help, survivors of torture are often reluctant to disclose information about their experiences. Survivors of any trauma often avoid situations and topics that might bring back painful memories—memories that can be very unsettling, and even overwhelming. Triggering such memories sometimes provokes an emotional intensity similar to what was experienced at the time of the trauma.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic lead to an increase in torture and ill-treatment in some areas of the world because of the use of excessive power to enforce curfews and social distancing, especially in detention centers (United Nations, 2020). In addition, torture survivors are more at risk of being infected by the lethal virus because of their vulnerable situation and living conditions, which led many of them to die from the COVID-19 virus (United Nations, 2020). Other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic include lack of access to medical, psychological and social support, as well as delays in processing of asylum claims (Pérez-Sales, 2020).