Survivor Experiences with Forensic Documentation in the Syrian Context
Forensic Medical Documentation (FMD) is a core aspect of Synergy’s work to aid survivors in holding their perpetrators accountable. We recently explained what FMD is and why it is important for obtaining justice, but how is it beneficial for survivors?
The forensic medical documentation process is often the first time a survivor has the opportunity to share their story with a non-judgmental, objective person trained to be trauma-informed and survivor-centric in their approach. It’s a unique chance to open up and share the horrible details about their detention and torture experience with an empathetic person. It is also an opportunity to discuss the various physical and psychological sequelae (lasting effects, such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, difficulty sleeping, erectile dysfunction, etc.) with a trained medical professional who can diagnose issues and provide referrals for follow-up care, which may include medicine, testing, and therapy, all of which may contribute to the healing process.
For many survivors, telling a doctor about their experience is the first time someone has listened to them without judgment and paid credence to what happened. There is validation that their experience was real, and reassurance that they did nothing wrong. It can be a very powerful, positive experience.
“Just telling the story and having the feeling of companionship with Dr. M made me feel comfortable.”
“The doctor listened to me until the end, and understood me, and felt what I felt during the arrest.”
“(I felt free to release) words that I had not spoken for 7 years. (Hiding my experience) was an obsession for me and a heavy burden. (When I documented my case) I spoke about it completely. It was as if I had emptied all thoughts of my detention and became a different person.”
“Just telling the story and unpacking it with the doctor gave me profound psychological relief.”
The documentation process can be very difficult for some survivors, however. They may feel ashamed and embarassed to share their story, especially if it involves sexual violence. Many survivors find it difficult to trust the doctor or the case manager because of the risk of being stigmatised by their community if other people in their community learn of their experiences. The documentation process also forces them to relive traumatic experiences from the detention, torture, and/or sexual violence they experienced. While the documentation professionals at Lawyers and Doctors for Human Rights are skilled and knowledgeable regarding trauma-informed practices, and know how to minimise retraumatisation, survivors still have to engage with their past experiences to complete the documentation process.
Nevertheless, while the documentation process can be difficult for survivors, most find the experience helpful and empowering. On the justice side, there are 3 potential avenues of satisfaction, although none is guaranteed. Contributing evidence to hold the perpetrator accountable, the chance to perhaps receive compensation for suffering, and the basis for a future asylum case in another country are all powerful reasons that many choose to undergo forensic medical evaluation.
“I hope (my case contributes) to prosecuting the regime and revealing its crimes and actions to the world.”
“I now know there are people interested in pushing for accountability and helping survivors to pursue our rights.”