WUNRN
August
14, 2013 - Rose Anderson
Recently the
For years WITNESS has worked with
activists campaigning to end gender-based violence globally. We know that it
can be incredibly painful to share a personal experience of sexual violence.
Many survivors of rape in the U.S.
military cited fears of their stories being
brushed aside, not having their voices heard, of being attacked
again. We also know that it is also challenging to ask someone to share his or
her experience with you on film. Through our work, it became clear there was a
need for guidance on how to conduct these interviews safely, effectively and
ethically.
Today we are proud to announce a new
training resource: Conducting
Safe, Effective and Ethical Interviews with Survivors of Sexual and
Gender-based Violence. It includes considerations and
guidance for anyone setting out to interview survivors. The tips are organized
into stages of preparation for the interview, during the interview, after the
interview and special attention is given to ensuring the safety and security of
interviewees.
The Guide is intended for human rights
activists, citizen witnesses, citizen journalists and professional journalists
and anyone else who might be conducting interviews with survivors. It is
currently available in English with translations coming soon in Afrikaans,
Arabic, Shona, Spanish, and Zulu. An earlier version is available in
Swahili.
Before You Begin:
§ Remember the fundamental principle of using video for
human rights: do no harm, directly or indirectly, to an interviewee in the
process of documenting their story.
§ Consider the lasting impact that sexual violence can
have on an individual, and be fully considerate of your interviewee’s comfort
and perspective.
Get more tips for Before You Begin in
the Guide
Before Interview Day:
§ Identify your interviewee and take time to get to know
him/her to build rapport.
§ Create questions in advance that respect the
interviewee’s dignity and comfort and uses terminology that is appropriate.
Get more tips on Before Interview Day in
the Guide
Safety and Security:
§ Ask your interviewee what is the worst-case scenario
possible? For example, what if the interviewee’s perpetrator or community
sees the video and recognizes them? What types of risk could this expose them
to?
Get more tips on Safety and Security in
the Guide