WUNRN

Guide For Interviewing Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

August 14, 2013 - Rose Anderson

Recently the U.S. media has been full of accounts of rampant sexual violence and intimidation across all branches of the U.S. military. In Egypt, we hear how sexual violence is used against female activists during and around protests in the country. A major reason these systemic human rights violations are coming to light is because brave survivors of sexual violence were willing to speak out and share their experiences.

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.

Here’s an overview of what is included in the Guide:

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