Safe Consultations with Survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls

Violence against women and girls is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality. It can take many forms, including: domestic violence; sexual violence, including sexual harassment or rape; femicide; human trafficking; female genital mutilation; child marriage; or online and ICT-facilitated violence. Violence affects women and girls throughout their life cycle, irrespective of income levels or their social status. Many women and girls who experience intersecting forms of discrimination based on age, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity/race/caste, disability or health status and national origin, face increased risk of violence.

VAWG has numerous short and long-term impacts for survivors’ physical and mental health, well-being and safety. It also has a ripple effect for families, communities, wider society and the economy.

If unaddressed, VAWG has serious cost implications and consequences for poverty reduction and development, including hampering efforts to achieve the SDGs and the 2030 sustainable development agenda.

This guidance provides information, including practical steps, safety measures, and actions that women’s organizations, Government agencies and coordinating bodies can take to incorporate the voices of VAWG survivors into systemic reform efforts, through consultations with survivors. Focus group discussions (FGD) and individual interviews with survivors are often not conducted due to the fear that doing so will re-traumatize survivors. In addition, many who would like to engage with survivors do not do so because they are unsure about appropriate and useful questions to ask survivors.