The Development of the New South Wales Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (Startts): The First Year

Abstract

Many immigrants to Australia are refugees, some of whom have experienced acute stress and trauma, including torture, prior to or during their escape from their home countries. In response to a growing recognition that the health care services may not be meeting the needs of these people the NSW Department of Health funded the establishment of a community-based rehabilitation service for traumatised refugees. This paper provides an overview of the recent history of the service, some of the organisational and staffing issues faced during its first year, some characteristics of the first 200 clients, principles of treatment, clinical, nosological and therapeutic issues and relationships with other agencies.