NPR

Therapy For Torture Victims Has Surprising Economic Benefit, Study Says

Danish researchers analyzed the cost of treating refugees who have been tortured — both physical and psychological — and the economic impact.

Every month, about 300 refugees apply for asylum in Denmark, seeking shelter from conflicts and persecution in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria and elsewhere. And many of them need help beyond finding a new home.

A 2013 study calculated that 30 percent of refugees in high-income host countries have experienced torture; about 150 refugees seek treatment at the Danish Institute Against Torture every year.

We already know the moral reasons for helping traumatized refugees to recover. But are there economic benefits as well?

A published in on May 18 analyzes the costs of treating torture victims and the economic advantages of helping suffering refugees recover.

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