Recognising and assessing victims of torture in emergency departments.

A wall of silence surrounds torture. This silence, shame and humiliation is just what the torturer depends on. It is important to remember this when a survivor (refugee or asylum seeker) whose life has been damaged and destroyed in many ways is being assessed in the A&E department. Over 5,000 people per month seek refuge in the UK, many of whom will have suffered torture, leaving them physically and mentally injured. All will have suffered loss of loved ones, status, dignity and their homeland, and will be grieving.