Logo for the Center for Victims of Torture

Our History

Last updated: June 21, 2024

CVT was founded in 1985 as a nongovernmental organization after the governor of Minnesota, Rudy Perpich, assembled a committee to recommend initiatives that would make a difference for human rights. The committee proposed creation of the United States’ first center for rehabilitative care for survivors of torture. The Center for Victims of Torture opened in St. Paul, with one counselor. Over the years, we grew geographically and programmatically, today offering culturally-competent and interdisciplinary care to survivors, along with initiatives to end torture, enhance the skills and resilience of human rights defenders and organizations, and to facilitate justice for survivors.

Great progress has been made in that time. Since CVT began our work, the United States ratified the Convention against Torture, passed the Torture Victims Relief Act, and filed a presidential executive order banning torture. In addition, tens of thousands of survivors found care and began rebuilding their lives after torture.

Check out highlights from our history.

CVT History

1985
1985

CVT open in Minnesota.

1988
1988

Douglas A. Johnson is hired as executive director.

1992
1992

CVT opens a policy office in Washington, D.C.

1994
1994

The first Torture Victims Relief Act is introduced. The U.S. ratifies the Convention against Torture.

1996
1996

New Tactics in Human Rights project launches, building strategies & tactics for activists.

2000
2000

CVT open a center in Guinea (past project), & launches the National Capacity-Building Project to support U.S. torture treatment centers.

2001
2001

CVT capacity-building work goes international with Partnerships in Trauma Healing.

2002
2002

CVT opens a center in Sierra Leone (past project).

2005
2005

CVT opens a center in Liberia(past project).

2009
2009

President Obama signs Executive Order banning torture, as a result of CVT-led Campaign to Ban Torture.
 
CVT opens a center in Gulu, Uganda.

2010
2010

CVT opens a center in Dadaab, Kenya (past project).

2012
2012

Curt Goering is hired as executive director of CVT.

2013
2013

CVT opens the Healing Hearts project in St. Paul, and offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and Tigray Ethiopia.

2016
2016

CVT opens a center in Atlanta, Georgia.

2021
2021

Dr. Simon Adams is hired as president and CEO.

CVT open Proyecto Mariposa in Tucson, Arizona. CVT launches the Healing, Incarceration and Policing project.