The Research and Documentation unit of Kosova Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT) is responsible for carrying out in-depth research on Torture and Trauma issues.
The responsibilities of the research and documentation unit of KRCT are grouped into these main areas namely:
– Research
– Documentation
– Monitoring and Evaluation of clients treatment
– Collection of Information Related to Torture from other Sources
– Media monitoring
The research unit in collaboration with well-known international NGO-s carries out comprehensive surveys and qualitative and quantitative research relating to trauma and torture issues in Kosovo society especially after the war. This serves as a means of gathering data, analysing the data to identifying specific needs and determining ways of addressing the issues.
Some of the research works carried out included:
– Torture and war traumas Wounded healers or the experience of the therapist
– Strengthening Public Health Services Dealing with War Related Injuries in Kosovo
– Quantifying associates between the collective violence exposure and the health risk-published
– Psychopathology and well-being in civilian survivors of war seeking treatment: a follow-up study.
– Qualitative Analysis on the Impact of War Experiences on Mental Health among Civilian War Survivors in Kosovo
– Long-term of War, Social Functioning and Mental Health in Kosovo
During 2013, KRCT in cooperation with Danish Institute against Torture (Dignity) has concluded its research work on two special projects: “Measuring Quality of Prison Life” and “Understanding Prison Reforms”. The results of those researches aim to put emphasis on the most important aspects of prison life respectively on the role of different actors in the reformation of Correctional Institutions in Kosovo. The results will be shared with responsible authorities of Correctional Institutions and will also be accessible to public.
In 2014, KRCT in cooperation with Dignity has realized research on ”Human Rights Violation of Vulnerable Groups in Prisons”. As part of this research, a group of 75 inmates and prisoners are interviewed, in different correctional institutions. Results of this research have addressed the most sensitive aspects of treatment and respect of human rights of inmates/prisoners, from the arrest stage up to sentence serving.
At the beginning of the monitoring of the judiciary system in Kosovo, in 2015, KRCT has initiated basic research on the ‘application of pre-trial detention’ from the Basic Court in Pristina.
This research aimed to collect and analyze statistical data from the Kosovo Judiciary Council, Basic Court and Procurement in Pristina, on conditions and reasonability of the application of pre-trial detention, respectively application of alternative measures vis-a-vis detention. In addition, several individual interviews with judges, prosecutors, policemen, and lawyers were held. Further, the research was combined with monitoring of court hearings in the Basic Court of Pristina. Results of this research confirmed a range of deficiencies or contradictory practices of judicial authorities due to decisions on procedures of pre-detention, its assessment, and administration. As a result of this research, a list of recommendations was presented, in different activities.
In 2004 using Microsoft Access KRCT has developed a valuable Client Tracking database that contains information on methods of torture, time and, place where torture occurred and the impact of torture on mental and physical health and all information relevant to torture-related psychological consequences.
Statistical Data, KRCT clients during 2006-2008 – Download
KRCT daily collects data from our clients’ files in order to provide an updated data collection. This activity allows to have an in-depth understanding of our clients’ needs and consequently to improve the therapeutic work of the rehabilitation staff.
KRCT documents all other activities/works. Video clips, reports, publications, books on Torture and trauma, audio materials, photographs etc are all documented. This serves as a point where information and data could be gathered for references by researchers.
Monitoring of the symptoms is done every third session according to the treatment tables which contains every disorders symptoms and the evaluation of the treatment is done by the client themselves their family and by therapist.
Collection of Information Related to Torture from other Sources
Systematic searches of various websites and display various items that deal with torture, trauma and consequences, is one of constant activity.
The entire available literature such as monographs, life events, essays, testimonies, books, or other materials (including photographs, posters, drawings, paintings) which describe the torture and mistreatment, and their effects on individual level and community gathered in a qualitative manner and are processed.
The four major daily newspapers in Kosovo (Kosova Sot, Lajmi, Koha Ditore and Express) have been regularly monitored, as well as some other daily newspapers. Articles that dealt with torture, rehabilitation, prevention issues, consequences of stress and trauma have been collected and registered in electronic form. Articles relating to wider social issues were also of interest and have been collected. Through media monitoring we have been able to identify new victims ill-treated from the Kosovo Police Service and to integrate them in our treatment program.