FASSTT Statement

Support for People Affected by the Events in Israel and Gaza

The recent escalation of violence in Israel, Gaza, and the surrounding regions is inflicting enduring and devastating humanitarian consequences including loss of life and widespread trauma. Through our collective experience supporting survivors of torture and trauma, we know that the impact on mental health and well-being will be enduring and profound, increasing in scale with any exacerbation of the current violence.

The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) firmly condemns all forms of violence that breach international human rights and humanitarian laws, regardless of the responsible parties.

We call for an immediate ceasefire and for an end to the targeting of civilians by all parties.

FASSTT acknowledges the deep distress this violence causes communities in Australia. We offer our solidarity with those in our community who have lost loved ones or whose loved ones are in danger.

We are sensitive to the distress that graphic images and reports can cause people from affected regions and to the triggering effects on those who have experienced similar trauma.

FASSTT is actively exploring avenues to support affected individuals, families, and communities.

We are aware that this conflict has widespread impacts beyond the region, and we also acknowledge the ongoing conflicts, unrest and humanitarian crises that continue in other parts of the world.

We recognise the profound human suffering occurring in affected regions and the deep distress this causes communities here in Australia and offer our strong commitment to support affected people in our community.

The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) is a network of Australia’s eight specialist rehabilitation agencies that work with survivors of torture and trauma who have come to Australia from overseas. Most clients of FASSTT agencies have come to Australia as refugees or humanitarian entrants. FASSTT agencies also work with survivors of torture and trauma who have come to Australia as asylum seekers. There is a FASSTT member agency in each state and territory of Australia.

www.fasstt.org.au

STTARS acknowledges and respects the Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Boandik people as the traditional custodians of the unceded ancestral lands we live and work on. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.