The act for survivors of coming forward is crucial. That’s how we can learn about
abuses all over the world and do something about it. But telling their
stories can put survivors at risk for future harm.
Rape in the U.S. military, female protestors attacked across Egypt,
Congolese women violated while going about their everyday lives - sexual and
gender-based violence happens everywhere. We learn about it from brave
individuals who tell us their stories and demand accountability and justice.
But, viewers, journalists and
filmmakers may not fully realize that these courageous interviews have the potential
to re-traumatize survivors.
WITNESS has put together a simple, but useful guide on "Conducting Safe, Effective and Ethical Interviews with Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence." The illustrated guide is aimed at human
rights activists, citizen witnesses, citizen and professional journalists and
anyone else who might be conducting interviews with survivors.
The tips are
organized in stages: preparation for the interview, during the interview, and
after the interview. Special attention is given to ensuring the safety and security of interviewees.
The guide
is about video and film interviews, but most of the advice can be used by print
journalists as well. For example,
asking open-ended questions that give your interviewee some control and
giving them the last word (asking what
they would like to add).
The guide is part of WITNESS’ Video for Change how-to series on
filming safely, effectively and ethically, based on best practices established
over the organization’s 20 years of training and supporting human rights activists
to use video.
WITNESS uses video to open the eyes of the world to
human rights violations. Since 1992, WITNESS has worked to empower people to
transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools for justice,
promoting public engagement and policy change. The organization has worked in 90
countries and partnered with hundreds of organizations.
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