Finding Strength Together: Psychosocial Support for Victims of Political Violence
"Understanding and implementing effective strategies to support those affected by political violence, focusing on community and individual resilience."
The recognition of victims of political violence, their suffering, and their fundamental rights gained prominence in the mid-20th century, initially in Western Europe following the aftermath of World War II. This awareness gradually extended to Latin America in the 1970s, particularly in countries within the Southern Cone, such as Chile. Psychologists and psychiatrists, often under the protection of the Catholic Church, began vital work with victims, identifying their needs through testimonies collected by lawyers documenting state-committed crimes.
In Colombia, despite the nation's long history of armed conflict, acknowledgment of the profound issues faced by victims started to emerge only in the late 1980s. This recognition followed a significant escalation of political violence between 1986 and 1993—a period marked by massacres, assassinations of presidential candidates and union leaders, and widespread forced displacement. This period underscored the urgent need for a structured response to support affected populations.
This escalating crisis prompted responses from religious organizations and dedicated professionals who initiated programs aimed at raising awareness and providing support. Groups such as the Comisión Intercongregacional de Justicia y Paz, Corporación AVRE, Programa por la Paz, Centro de Investigación y Educación Popular (CINEP), the Jesuit Refugee Service, and Fundación Dos Mundos launched deliberate initiatives. Their programs aimed to address the mental health needs of victims from a human rights perspective, laying the groundwork for what would evolve into comprehensive psychosocial support strategies.
The Evolution of Psychosocial Accompaniment
Initially, the focus was primarily on mental health, but it soon broadened to encompass psychosocial attention, an approach significantly boosted by the United Nations following a mission to Colombia led by Francis Deng. However, the increasing complexity of the Colombian conflict over the past eight years presented substantial challenges in providing effective support, given ongoing victimization and political persecution aimed directly at undermining support efforts.
- Active Participation: Recognizing and supporting the agency of displaced people and communities in their own recovery.
- Resource Maximization: Focusing on and enhancing the existing strengths and resources within these communities to foster sustainable recovery.
- Social Fabric Restoration: Contributing to rebuilding community trust and social connections, which are crucial for long-term stability and healing.
- Political Commitment: Acknowledging the necessity of a committed stance against human rights violations, ensuring that support is aligned with the victims' pursuit of justice.
- Self-Care and Reflection: Providing support and encouraging self-care practices for psychologists and support staff to prevent burnout and maintain effectiveness.
Building Cultures of Peace
Ultimately, psychosocial accompaniment aims to foster an environment where violence is rejected, and peace is actively constructed. This involves nurturing an ethic of solidarity, rebuilding confidence shattered by psychological warfare, and enabling victims to articulate their pain and work through their trauma. By promoting nonviolence and encouraging dialogue, psychosocial accompaniment helps transform conflict and empower individuals and communities to build a more just and peaceful society. Creating spaces for dialogue and teaching methods of creative conflict resolution empowers people to understand their rights, rebuild personal and family lives.