WUNRN
TOOLKIT
& VIDEO GUIDE FOR CONDUCTING INVERVIEWS WITH SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL &
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
November 25,
2013 by Matisse Bustos
Hawkes
Why
Video?
The power of
storytelling can be personally cathartic for survivors of sexual and
gender-based violence (GBV). These personal stories can serve as evidence as
well as tools to promote policy reform and mobilize action. However, we also
know that it can be incredibly painful to share these personal experiences.
Video can be an effective way for survivors to share their stories with many
key audiences ranging from justice systems, to advocacy groups to communities
or at-risk populations, having to record it once as opposed to telling it
multiple times which can be re-traumatizing.
Of course,
sharing a personal experience of sexual or GBV on video can be challenging it
its own right. Based on over a decade of work with GBV advocates and survivors,
it was clear to us that some guidance was needed for how to conduct these
interviews ethically and effectively.
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.
So far the
guide has been accessed over 9,000 times and soon we’ll be announcing Arabic,
French and Spanish versions of it. It has also been distributed as a part of
recent video advocacy trainings in Kenya and South Africa.
The video
series provides additional tips and insight based on first-hand experience from
trainees, experts, leading activists and survivors expanding on: considerations
for filming, creating appropriate questions, safety & security,
interviewing techniques and the effects of trauma on survivors.
The series
is broken down into six parts:
1) Getting Started – An intro to breaking
the silence and what it means for survivors to share their stories.
2) Before Filming – What you should know
about approaching survivors and the importance of building trust.
3) Safety & Security – Assessing risks,
obtaining informed consent and protecting the identity of survivors.
4) During Filming – Asking appropriate
questions and taking logistics of filming into account.
5) Psychology & Trauma – Being aware of
the psychological effects, triggers and general affects of the experience for
the survivor.
6) After Filming – Now what? How do you
share the final version of interview and what happens with your relationship
with the survivor after the interview?
Additional
Resources
Visit our webpage dedicated to this year’s 16 Days
campaign for more resources. And check out the Gender-Based
Violence section of the blog for more information on our, and our
allies’, efforts.
Over the
next 16 days, we will be profiling a few of the activists, practitioners and
advocacy organizations working tirelessly to end violence and support
survivors. Activists continue to prove that video for
change is an effective advocacy tool and we look forward to hearing how you
will use video to end violence against women.