Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions - Updated Edition Constant reassurance can do no harm to victims of sexual violence and others affected by trauma. If they are willing to talk, invite them to discuss how their emotional reactions are linked to what they have suffered. However, ask them to tell you the details of their experience only when they are ready. People who have been victims of sexual violence often share similar responses to victims of torture. Low self-esteem is a common characteristic. This is partly a psychological consequence of the trauma but also frequently a reflection of social attitudes which can hold victims of sexual violence partly to blame. Because of the social stigma attached to sexual violence in some contexts, victims may be particularly reluctant to talk about their experience.92 Therefore, when conducting an interview, it is crucial to be non-judgmental and to place no hint of blame on the person. Victims of sexual violence may not want to talk about what happened to them; do not force them. Sexual violence is deeply intimate, so interviewers should make sure to be extremely delicate when conducting the interview and avoid asking details that are not strictly necessary. Interviewing persons deprived of liberty (see also chapter 8) Interviews with persons deprived of liberty are different from interviews carried out in the privacy and security of the NHRI office or any other safe location. The importance of gaining the trust of the interviewee cannot be stressed enough. It is even more important to not do anything that could betray that trust. All precautions should be taken so the safety and security of the interviewee is not compromised. These interviews should be conducted without a witness and take place in a private location, out of sight and hearing of others. The purpose of conducting interviews in places of detention can vary, especially if they form part of a preventive visit. As the person deprived of liberty may not fully understand the purpose of the interview, and have particular expectations relating to their individual situation, it is important that you clearly explain its aim at the outset. As the interviewer, you should also describe what you can do and what you cannot do. Further, you should not make any promise that you cannot keep or raise false expectations. Persons deprived of their liberty who have suffered torture should be asked whether the information they provide can be used and, if so, in what way. For example, you should clearly ask for the person’s consent regarding the use of their name. However, because of a fear of reprisal, they may prefer that the information is kept anonymous. Interviewing women Prior to conducting interviews with women, it is important to be aware and consider the gender dynamics of the specific context where the interview will take place. In some contexts, women may face specific obstacles to participate in an interview (due for example to lack of availability for household or childcare responsibilities) or may be reluctant to share their own experiences for different reasons, including fear for them and their children. It is therefore important to take all necessary measures to ensure that women can participate in interviews. These include, for example, adapting the schedule of the interview, making specific childcare arrangements and being extra careful with the need for privacy during the interview. In some contexts, it might be appropriate to first speak with a women’s husband/father or other male member of the family in order to explain the reasons for the interview.93 The interviewer should also be aware of any support service (legal, medical, psychological or other type) that women could be referred to.94 74 92 OHCHR, Revised Manual on Human Rights Monitoring (2011), Chapter 11: Interviewing, p. 25. 93 See OHCHR, Integrating a gender perspective into human rights investigations: Guidance and practice, 2018, pp. 26-29. 94 APF, Promoting and Protecting the Human Rights of Women and Girls: A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions, January 2017, pp.57-58.