Participation

Participation is essential for informed decision-making; promotes protection and reduces feelings of powerlessness; enables us to draw on the insights, knowledge, capacities, skills and resources of affected people; empowers females and males of all ages and backgrounds to rebuild self-esteem and self-confidence; and helps survivors and those working with survivors cope with the trauma of gender based violence. It also improves the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions.

The Survivor Centred Approach

A survivor-centred approach means that the survivor’s rights, needs and wishes are prioritized when designing and developing gender based violence -related programs, policies, procedures and interventions. The survivor-centred approach can guide professionals – regardless of their role – in their engagement with persons who have experienced GBV.

It aims to create a supportive environment in which a GBV survivor’s rights are respected, safety is ensured, and the survivor is treated with dignity and respect. The approach helps to promote a survivor’s recovery and strengthen her or his ability to identify and express needs and wishes; it also reinforces the person’s capacity to make decisions about possible interventions.

Key Elements of the Survivor-Centred Approach for Promoting Ethical and Safety Standards:

1) Safety: The safety and security of the survivor and others, such as her/his children and people who have assisted her/him, must be the number one priority for all actors. Individuals who disclose an incident of GBV or a history of abuse are often at high risk of further violence from the perpetrator(s) or from others around them.

2) Confidentiality: Confidentiality reflects the belief that people have the right to choose to whom they will, or will not, tell their story. Maintaining confidentiality means not disclosing any information, at any time, to any party ,without the informed consent of the person concerned. Confidentiality promotes safety, trust and empowerment.

3) Respect: The survivor is the primary actor, and the role of helpers is to facilitate recovery and provide resources for problem-solving. All actions taken should be guided by respect for the choices, wishes, rights and dignity of the survivor.

4) Non-discrimination: Survivors of violence should receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic.