Thorvald Stoltenberg
War and violence are no worse than before, but today we know more about preventing war—and limiting the effects of violence on the individual. This book deals with these issues in a highly professional way. A book much needed.
—UN Peace Negotiator
This compassionate, wise and sophisticated synthesis brings together the essential international perspectives to address and prevent the growing burden of the impact of trauma. The editors are to be congratulated on its excellence, its depth, and above all, what it shows can be achieved for the future.
—M.D., Professor and Chair of Psychiatry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Leon Eisenberg
This book, authored by distinguished international authorities, is unique. It provides a comprehensive account of trauma and its victims. At the same time, it describes the responses by international governmental bodies and by nongovernmental organizations to curtail violence and to assist victims. It reports facts nowhere else collected in one place, gives credit where credit is due, and makes bold to criticize shortcomings. The reader will become aware of how much needs to be done and how more can be done!
—M.D., Professor of Social Medicine, Emeritus, Harvard Medical School, Boston
Gro Harlem Brundtland
The authors of this impressive book remind us that the protection of human rights is far from an academic exercise. By focusing on the traumatic stress experienced by the victims, the book will help us define a positive agenda for our common efforts to prevent human suffering. This is a sound piece of work which should provide inspiration to all those concerned with the promotion and safeguarding of human rights.
—Prime Minister of Norway
Brian Urquhart
In the surprisingly violent and inhumane world of the late twentieth century, it is sometimes tempting to believe that once the guns are silent and the combatants have gone home everything will be all right. A book that deals with the ongoing traumatic stress of the victims and the efforts that are being made, or need to be made, to help them is therefore an important event. This book surveys the field and points out where very much more needs to be done. It is a useful antidote to the tendency to accept the results of man's inhumanity to man as an untreatable condition.
—Scholar-in-Residence, The Ford Foundation and Former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations for Peace Keeping
Robert Jay Lifton
This is a profoundly valuable and humane book. In its authoritative exploration of trauma and suffering throughout the world, it provides a compelling expression of human commonality. It will surely become a standard reference for our capacity to inflict pain, but also for our equal capacity to confront that pain and begin healing measures.
—M.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology, The City University of New York
John P. Wilson
This book is a landmark contribution to the field of traumatic stress impacts to victims of war, political violence, disasters and human rights violations. It reflects the high standards of the United Nations' efforts in the field of mental health and disaster management of traumatic stress. A must read for every professional in the field of traumatology.
—Professor of Psychology, Cleveland State University, Past President, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Corazon C. Aquino
The 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations is an appropriate time to review and highlight international efforts to address the agony of individuals, families, and communities victimized by armed and other kinds of conflict, by crime, violence, natural disasters, and the many other sources of traumatic stress in our world today. I am particularly encouraged by the efforts for women and children described in this volume and strongly support the initiatives on the rehabilitation of migrant women workers subjected to traumatic experiences. I congratulate the editors and contributors of this valuable book and encourage continued responses and initiatives for the protection and enhancement of the mental health of the millions of suffering people the world over.
—Past President of the Philippines
Theo van Boven
The plight of the victims of gross violations of human
rights, persecutions, armed conflicts, and other forms of violence is very often
overlooked. The perspective of the victim is regarded by many political actors,
decision makers, and the public at large as a complication, an inconvenience, or
even a nuisance. There is the fatalistic view that reparation of the irreparable
is a lost cause. Yet, if it is true that—as is stated in the first preambular
paragraph of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—recognition of the
inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the
human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,' the
perspective of the victim is a cornerstone in the construction of better world
order.
It is often assured that the passage of time is in itself
sufficient remedy against the wrongs people have suffered mentally. In many
instances this is a fallacy. Unless proper medical, psychological, social, and
material assistance is given over a long period of time, post-traumatic stress
may aggravate and generate further victimization.
It is an imperative
demand of compassion and justice that we redouble our efforts, nationally and
internationally, so as to secure to victims more consistently and more widely
the rehabilitation and redress they need and they are entitled to. It is my firm
wish that this remarkable collection of papers and the message it represents
from the viewpoint of broad interdisciplinary knowledge and expertise, will
reach the hearts and minds of many people and serve as a source of inspiration
and encouragement.
—University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands and Special Rapporteur on Victims of the UN Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities
Beverly Raphael
This compassionate, wise and sophisticated synthesis brings together the essential international perspectives to address and prevent the growing burden of the impact of trauma. The editors are to be congratulated on its excellence, its depth, and above all, what it shows can be achieved for the future.
—M.D., Professor and Chair of Psychiatry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
