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8. Reporting
( See Stabilising and protecting a survivor who wants to report what happened to her and Protecting a survivor when she reports what happened to her in Part II, pages100-101 and 102-105.)
PART III: THEORY
This section considers the issues that arise when a survivor decides to report abuses and crimes committed against her, including by filing complaints with the police. It focuses on the survivor’ s risks and options.
In such cases, it first needs to be considered whether the survivor will advance her own interest, or put herself at risk, if she reports her story to an official, makes a complaint or denunciation, or gives testimony. Second, the issue of securing evidence must be addressed. It may be necessary to undertake assessments and diagnostic procedures to document and describe signs of torture or other forms of ill-treatment; and to document mental as well as physical signs that could be evidence in judicial processes or other forms of investigation. The important messages are that many issues arise in the context of reporting and that it is essential to separate reporting from the provision of assistance and care.
In a human rights context, filing complaints or reporting violations is a priority. From this point of view, such actions should be encouraged. However, it is also vital to ensure that help and care are provided, regardless of reporting. Care and reporting are two separate activities and must not be mixed. This said, helpers may play important roles in a discussion about whether a survivor should report or not and in helping her prepare if she decides to do so. We listed some of the key points with respect to preparation, information, and support before, during and after a survivor reports in Part II( see Protecting a survivor when she reports what happened to her on pages 102-105). The advice below takes that discussion a little further.
Listening and assisting versus reporting and documenting
We have described and discussed how contact can be made with women who have been exposed to severe trauma, such as rape and other grave violations of rights.
In this contact, it is vital to create an atmosphere of trust, even if trust may be limited at the start. To achieve this, the helper is called to:
• Show respect for the woman in question.
• Listen to her willingly and carefully.
• Allow silence and time to pass.
• Keep the distance that the survivor needs to decide how to tell and what to tell.
• Ensure the situation is as safe for the woman as possible.
• Respect confidentiality.
• Make clear that the purpose of the conversation is to support the woman.
• Underline that the helper has no agenda other than to provide help, support, and counsel.
During the course of the first conversation( s), several alternative needs may emerge:
• The woman may want and need psychosocial assistance.
• She may want to be referred to specialists in medicine or psychology / psychiatry for further assessment.
• She may need to be referred to specialists for treatment.
• She may want to report her abuse to the authorities( or another relevant institution).