Effects of testifying in Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in South America

This chapter reviews evidence from five South American countries (Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru), suggesting that giving testimony in a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is mainly related to positive outcomes. Compared to those who did not, victims who gave testimony in a TRC reported higher positive emotions and social sharing with respect to the past and to the TRC's activities. Giving testimony was also associated with greater trust in political institutions, a more positive perception of the social climate, and a more positive evaluation of the TRC's activities. However, testimony was also associated with higher negative emotions and a stronger inhibition of talking about the past. There was no evidence supporting relations between testimony and the rejection of political violence or the endorsement of an attitude of forgiveness. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to previous studies on the effects of giving testimony before a TRC.