Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning | A Guide for NHRIs in the Asia Pacific Module 1: Understanding MEAL Ensure impartiality, integrity, and transparency Be transparent with participants about how the data will be used. Be genuine and respectful of those providing the data. Review data through all alternative viewpoints and data sources (commonly referred to as triangulation of data). Consider the biases that may be inherent in the NHRI’s context, personnel and processes. CASE STUDY: SAMOA OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN/NHRI NATIONAL PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO FAMILY VIOLENCE — “DOING NO HARM” DURING DATA COLLECTION In 2017, the Office undertook a National Public Inquiry into Family Violence in Samoa to understand the issue of family violence. This included gathering information on people’s awareness of family violence, its causes, its prevalence and its impact. Collecting data from small, close-knit communities made the confidential collection of primary data very difficult. This was one of the biggest concerns for the inquiry. How could vulnerable witnesses be heard without anyone in the community knowing and without risking reprisals? Engaging survivors of family violence to share their stories—especially those that were still in a violent relationship— was a sensitive matter with high potential for further harm. Throughout the inquiry, the Office kept the ‘Do no harm’ principle front of mind. The Inquiry processes were designed to protect and prevent harming participants, especially survivors of family violence. The Office consulted with family violence experts, survivors and perpetrators for advice on how to best approach data collection in this context. This link will give you examples of what the Office did: www.asiapacificforum.net/media/resource_file/Guidelines_Collecting_Evidence_Family_Violence_Samoa_ Ombudsman.pdf 24