TORTURE ABOLITION AND SURVIVORS SUPPORT COALITION INTERNATIONAL

Washington, District of Columbia, 20017 United States

Mission Statement

To end the practice of torture wherever it occurs and support survivors as they empower themselves, their families and communities wherever they are.

About This Cause

Following her torture by the Guatemalan military, Sister Dianna Ortiz (a US citizen and Ursuline missionary) was compelled to create a platform for survivors’ voices. Thus, she founded the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC) in 1998—a grassroots coalition of survivors in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC region who represent countries and ethnic groups throughout the world. Beginning with just twelve survivors (“members”) who organized TASSC’s first advocacy events, TASSC has grown to serve approximately 300 active members annually. We served 331 active members in FY2018. TASSC has helped over 2,000 torture survivors heal and address systemic concerns that impact torture in their countries of origin, their lives in the DC metropolitan area, and the greater immigrant community. After expanding services in 2016, TASSC has provided legal, career development, case management, and psychological services to over 500 survivors. Our goals are to help survivors rebuild their lives, achieve self-sufficiency, and heal from the horrific effects of torture. TASSC is uniquely qualified to achieve these goals, as it is the only organization in the United States founded and led by survivors, for survivors—including our top management and over 50% of our Board. TASSC is also the only organization in the Greater Washington DC region—including Montgomery County, Maryland—that is tailored specifically for survivors of torture.

TORTURE ABOLITION AND SURVIVORS SUPPORT COALITION INTERNATIONAL
4121 Harewood Road Ne Suite B 4121 Harewood Road Ne, Suite B
Washington, District of Columbia 20017
United States
Phone 2025292991
Twitter @TASSCintl
Unique Identifier 300060696