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During the 1980’s there was increasing recognition by refugee communities and some staff within the Health Service that the mainstream health system was unable to deal adequately with the needs of refugee torture and trauma survivors. Lobbying by these groups for a specialist service resulted in the establishment of STARTTS in late 1988.

Since the early years STARTTS has grown considerably, and the range of services has developed and expanded in response to client needs.

STARTTS employs a multidisciplinary staff from a wide range of cultural backgrounds reflecting our client group and covering a range of languages.

The service is managed by a Management Committee appointed by the NSW Minister for Health, which includes representatives of human rights organisations, professionals in the field such as psychiatrists, and community positions.

STARTTS main funding source is the NSW Department of Health, with additional funding from the Federal Department of Health and Family Services, and other sources for specific projects.

Our Mission

STARTTS’ mission is to develop and implement ways to facilitate the healing process of survivors of torture and refugee trauma, and to assist and resource individuals and organisations who work with them to provide appropriate, effective and culturally sensitive services.

Our Clients

o Individuals and communities from refugee and refugee-like situations, now living in NSW, who have survived torture and other traumatic experiences in the context of organised violence.
o Service providers in NSW, to whom STARTTS provides training, research, advocacy and consultancy services.
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WHY STARTTS EXISTS

As part of its international humanitarian commitment and as a co-signatory to the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Australia has provided asylum to refugees from a wide range of national, cultural, religious and language groups since the end of World War II. That commitment is currently 10,000 people a year, over 40% of whom settle in NSW, and over 60% of whom are estimated to be torture survivors.

The physical consequences of such assault can include chronic pain; broken bones; injuries to eyes, teeth, ears, genitals, rectum and reproductive organs; cardio-pulmonary disorders; brain damage and diseases resulting from conditions of incarceration.

But the psychological effects are often the most distressing and debilitating. They can include depression, severe anxiety, sleep disorders (particularly nightmares), survivor guilt, loss of self esteem, memory and concentration problems, intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, difficulties in social functioning and family conflict.

In addition, refugees face the many losses and demands associated with exile and the process of migration and settlement in a new country with a strange language and culture, and different social norms and socio-political systems.

Specialised assistance and early intervention is crucial to counteract the effect of these experiences and to assist many torture and trauma survivors regain their ability to live fruitful and fulfilling lives.

Since its establishment in late 1988 STARTTS has been at the forefront of providing that assistance, and of developing innovative responses to the needs of refugees living in NSW