Investigating Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is a feature of conflict and war. Its impact is felt by individuals, but also by families and communities, and its destructive effects persist for generations. Reporting criminal acts of any sort in an active conflict is difficult enough; documenting and reporting sexual violence during a conflict poses even more challenges.

In this GIJN webinar, a senior reporter, a human rights advocate, and a safety and trauma specialist discuss how sexual violence in conflict can be understood, the most common misconceptions about this type of violence, and where journalists fit in. The speakers offer tips and resources on how to investigate effectively, safely engage with survivors, and navigate the call for justice.

Gavin Rees is senior advisor for training and innovation at the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma, and former director of Dart Centre Europe. He ran workshops and discussion groups on trauma awareness, resilience, and interviewing skills for journalists and journalism students in countries worldwide.

Lauren Wolfe is an award-winning journalist and photographer. She is a contributing writer for Washington Monthly, publisher of Chills, and an adjunct professor at NYU’s graduate school of journalism. She also created and directed WMC WomenUnderSiegeProject.org, a journalism initiative on sexualized violence in conflict originated by Gloria Steinem at the Women’s Media Center.

Alix Vuillemin is a senior advocacy adviser and program manager at Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice. She has over 10 years experience in monitoring work of the International Criminal Court for the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, Human Rights Watch, and Open Society Justice Initiative.

The moderator is Juliana Ruhfus, an award-winning journalist, producer-director, and TV presenter, who specializes in human rights and investigative work.

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The Global Investigative Journalism Network is an international association of journalism organizations that support the training and sharing of information among investigative and data journalists—with special attention to those from repressive regimes and marginalized communities.

Our key activities include:

Providing resources and networking services to investigative journalists worldwide;
Publishing in multiple languages and on multiple platforms the latest tools, techniques and opportunities for those in the field;
Helping organize and promote regional and international training conferences and workshops;
Assisting in the formation and sustainability of journalism organizations involved in investigative reporting and data journalism around the world;
Supporting and promoting best practices in investigative and data journalism;
Supporting and promoting efforts to ensure free access to public documents and data worldwide.

Find more information on our website: https://gijn.org