These two briefing notes, developed as part of the Murad Code Project, explore how information-gathering and information-use practices can affect survivors of systematic and conflict-related sexual violence (SCRSV). Together, they examine both the harms that can result from non-survivor-centred practices and the structural, operational, and normative factors that drive harmful approaches.
The resources are intended for investigators, journalists, researchers, humanitarian actors, human rights practitioners, policymakers, donors, and others who gather, analyse, share, or publish information about survivors. These discussion documents support reflection on how practitioners and institutions can strengthen ethical, survivor-centred, safe, and effective approaches to documentation and information use.
The first briefing note explores the diverse harms that may arise when information is gathered or used without adequate survivor-centred safeguards, including physical, psychological, social, legal, financial, and institutional harms.
The second briefing note examines the underlying drivers of harmful practices, including funding pressures, lack of coordination, inadequate training, accountability gaps, and harmful assumptions about survivors.
Find other resources developed as part of the Murad Code Project here.