Does Our Work Get Lost in Translation? Celeste Matross, Marinda Kotzé, Dominique Dix-Peek Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation Johannesburg, South Africa

Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) Torture Rehabilitation Clinic

Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR): Torture Rehabilitation Clinic AVERAGE NUMBER OF CLIENTS SCREENED EACH YEAR – 281 AVERAGE NUMBER OF COUNSELLING SESSIONS PER MONTH - 78 NUMBER OF CLINICIANS - 5 THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES – INDIVIDUAL MODEL

CSVR Clients: Age & Gender Children (0-17) 7.0% Adults (18-38) 66.9% Adults (39 and above) 26.1%

Nationality & Language Somalia Congo (DRC) Ethiopia Burundi Rwanda South Africa Zimbabwe Uganda Eritrea Congo (Brazzaville) Swaziland Zambia Angola Cameroon Chad CSVR Clients: Nationality & Language Common Languages: Amharic Somali Swahili French Lingala Kinyarwanda Key: 20% + 10-19% 5-9% 0-4%

Average number of traumatic events per client: 3 CSVR Clients: Types of Traumatic Events Average number of traumatic events per client: 3

Interpretation at the CSVR Trauma Clinic

Interpretation at the CSVR Trauma Clinic 1998 - The CSVR trauma clinic first started making use of interpreters in response to the growing number of clients from the Greater Lakes region. Interpreters to serve as cultural ambassadors. 1998 – 2011 - Two interpreters 2012 – Due to the rapid increase in the number of clients who required interpretation services eight new interpreters were recruited. 2015 – 2016 - Ten interpreters The CSVR trauma clinic first started making use of interpreters in 1998, in response to the growing number of clients from the Greater Lakes region (specifically Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi). Two interpreters joined CSVR in 1998. However one interpreter left soon thereafter in 1999. By 2012, the rapidly increasing number of clients who required interpretation services compelled the organisation to employ eight new interpreters. The more experienced interpreter subsequently accepted the role of interpreter manager and was tasked with supervising the new interpreters. By 2015, the number of interpreters grew to ten.

Interpretation: Challenges…. [OVERVIEW OF THE CHALLENGES EXPEREINCED OF WORKING WITH INTERPRETERS AS CULTURAL AMBASADORS] Lack of formal training /recruitment Translation vs. Interpretation Therapeutic boundaries Professional conduct Interpreter occupational health and burnout & divide between CSVR staff and interpreters

Interpreter Training

Interpreter Training: Content & Structure Interpreter Training Programme Content: Session 1: Understanding Trauma Session 2: Understanding Torture Session 3 & 4: Basic Counselling Skills Session 5: Interpreter Styles & Methods Session 6: Ethical Guidelines Session 7: The CSVR Trauma Model Session 8: Occupational Hazards Session 9: Feedback Information Treatment Session 10: Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation The programme consisted of ten full-day sessions. Each session was facilitated by two CSVR clinicians and held at the CSVR Braamfontein offices in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sessions took place every 2-3 weeks for 5 months from May to October 2015.

Interpreter Training: M&E The effectiveness of the training was evaluated based on: the interpreter's level of knowledge of the training content after the training – Pre/Post Tests feedback from the interpreters on how they experienced the programme – Interpreter Surveys changes in the interpreter's skills and conduct subsequent to the training – Feedback from Clinicians

Results of Knowledge Pre- and Post-Tests

Interpreter survey results The interpreters completed capacity building evaluation surveys after the third, fourth and tenth (final) training sessions. I get a deeper understanding of the work that we do. Generally it was very interesting and we expect from CSVR to continue to give training in the future. I personally am very satisfied with the workshop and the trainers' method they use to make us understand very well. I appreciate them! Would like to do it again or have a supervision after practicing what I just learned. The workshop has helped me to understand something I did not know before. It has helped me in my work and personal life.

Clinician feedback Reclaiming power and status In-group and out-group Projection of feelings of discrimination Blaming Poor communication Role confusion Personal agenda Confusion around belonging and identity

Where to from here…/lessons learnt Foundational training on interpretation and on mental health ethics Clear role description Regular meetings and engagement Regular debriefings Personal therapy Continual reinforcing and rewarding behaviour that works towards achieving the shared goals

Thank you