Human Rights, Complex Trauma, and Dissociation: Forensic Documentation of Persecution

Abstract
The number of individuals fleeing a “serious threat to their life, physical integrity or freedom as a result of persecution, armed conflict, violence or serious public disorder” and seeking asylum reached 8,400,000 people in 2024. Individuals applying for protected immigration status may be exposed to pre-migratory, migratory, and post migration trauma, as well as experience associated mental health sequelae. Asylum seekers may experience a range of obstacles, including the ability to provide proof of persecution that corroborates their claim. Clinicians can respond to this need through the provision of forensic psychological evaluations that document evidence of ill treatment. Research has shown that the inclusion of the medico-legal affidavits resulting from these evaluations can increase immigration relief grant rates in the U.S.

This workshop will provide an introductory training to the pro bono forensic evaluation of people experiencing forced migration consistent with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Istanbul Protocol Guidelines. This workshop will introduce current research on the documentation of dissociation in asylum seekers, an often-overlooked component of the mental health sequelae of international human rights abuses. The presentation will also highlight the potential implications of dissociation on capacity to provide clear, consistent, and sequential accounts of experiences of persecution during testimony in immigration court proceedings. The presentation will begin with a discussion of current trends in international human rights. Participants will then have an opportunity to consider the ways that they can leverage their understanding of psychological science and practice to document complex trauma and dissociation in asylum seekers. The workshop will highlight culturally-responsive and trauma-informed assessment considerations though illustrative and deidentified composite case studies, as well as promote best practices for the development of effective medico-legal affidavits for immigration hearings. Attendees will also be introduced to potential strategies for advocacy related to trauma-informed asylum policy and increased access to mental health and psychosocial support for this population.