Core Principles of a Survivor-Centred Approach:
- Safety: Prioritizing the physical and emotional security of survivors
- Confidentiality: Protecting survivor information and privacy
- Respect: Treating survivors with dignity and without judgment
- Non-discrimination: Providing equitable support regardless of identity or circumstances
A truly survivor-centred approach empowers individuals, respects their autonomy, and ensures they have access to quality, compassionate services across all sectors of GBV response. This page provides best practice standards and guidance for implementing a survivor-centred approach.
IASC Definition & Principles of Victim/Survivor-Centred Approach (IASC, 2023): This inter-agency document provides a shared definition of a victim/survivor-centred approach within the context of protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEA and SH, which are forms of GBV), outlining underlying principles and key actions to guide policy, procedures and practice. It is designed to help organisations adopt survivor-centred approaches across prevention, response and accountability functions, prioritising safety, confidentiality, dignity, inclusion, informed choice and support for survivors from first contact through all subsequent interactions.
IASC Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action -Part 2, Section 2: Guiding Principles and Approaches for Addressing Gender-Based Violence (IASC, 2015): These guidelines set out the core principles of a survivor-centred approach — including safety, confidentiality, respect and non-discrimination — and outline the responsibilities of all humanitarian sectors to prevent and respond to GBV. They emphasise that survivor-centred practice is not limited to protection actors, but a shared obligation across humanitarian action.
WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Researching, Documenting and Monitoring Sexual Violence in Emergencies (WHO, 2007): This guidance establishes ethical standards for engaging with survivors of sexual violence, with a strong focus on informed consent, confidentiality, risk mitigation and do-no-harm principles. It reinforces survivor autonomy and safety when collecting information or monitoring GBV-related interventions.
A Survivor-Centred Approach to Monitoring Gender-based Violence Response Programming (UNFPA, 2024): This resource is intended to support personnel with guidance on the selection of safe and meaningful indicators and measures for monitoring gender-based violence (GBV) response programming and reporting progress to stakeholders. These measures and indicators must be designed to follow the “do no harm” approach, uphold GBV guiding principles (safety, confidentiality, respect, and non-discrimination, along with informed consent) and avoid providing any basis for survivor identification or staff endangerment, while still ensuring effective monitoring of programmes.
How to Implement a Survivor-Centred Approach in GBV Programming (USAID, 2021): This how-to note focuses on helping those who have a role in GBV programming understand how programs can achieve a survivor-centered approach. The document includes definitions and explanations of the key aspects of a survivor-centered approach, six strategies for implementing a survivor-centered approach, and a checklist of actions programs can take to become survivor-centered.
ICRC's Survivor-Centred Approach to the Prevention of Sexual Violence (ICRC, 2024): As a people-centric organization, ICRC puts victim/survivors of sexual violence at the centre of its prevention efforts. Through its multidisciplinary approach, ICRC seeks to reduce the risk of sexual violence in conflict settings. Watch this video to know more about ICRC's survivor-centred approach.