For years, survivors of systematic and conflict-related sexual violence (SCRSV) have shared their frustrations and trauma about participating in ineffective and unethical interactions with people documenting, investigating, reporting, researching, monitoring or otherwise gathering or using information about SCRSV. No matter how well-intentioned they may be, when people doing this work do not follow the existing laws and relevant minimum standards, they cause or further amplify harm to survivors.
The Murad Code project is a global, consultative initiative which aims to build and support a community of better practice for, with and concerning survivors of systematic and conflict-related sexual violence.
Though not often recognised, work that involves gathering and using information about SCRSV that does not uphold survivors’ rights does not only cause harm to survivors, it erodes their trust in the rule of law and other governance and crisis-response systems. This distrust can lead to survivors choosing not to engage with justice and healing processes or other governance and crisis response systems - an outcome that does not serve information-gatherers and users, nor survivors. An approach that upholds survivors rights is therefore not only more ethical, it is more effective. This approach should not just be applied by individuals gathering and using information about SCRSV, but by organisations and in relation to wider systems and processes for carrying out this work.
The Murad Code Project is a global, consultative initiative aimed at creating a community of better practice for, with and concerning survivors of SCRSV. At the heart of the project is the Global Code of Conduct for Gathering and Using Information About Systematic and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, (the “Murad Code”), which applies to every actor involved in this work, regardless of why they gather or use information about SCRSV.
What is systematic and conflict-related sexual violence (SCRSV)?
SCRSV has a broad definition, including rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilisation, forced marriage, trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual violence and/or exploitation, and any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity perpetrated against any person where that conduct is directly or indirectly linked to an armed conflict.
SCRSV also includes such acts during peacetime or transitional phases when they are part of systematic, repressive, structured, or political violence, and when such violence is used to terrorise or destroy communities.
SCRSV includes but is not limited to sexual violence which amounts to the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.
How is “gathering and using information about SCRSV” defined?
As the direct, indirect, in-person and remote gathering of information from and about survivors in any form (including digital, written, verbal, audio-visual, photography) and its subsequent transportation, transfer, storage, use, sharing or publishing.
In relation to SCRSV (defined broadly and inclusively).
For any purpose which involves sharing or publishing such information but excluding information-gathering for the purpose of immediate care or support of survivors.
Who does the Murad Code apply to?
The Code applies to:
Human rights documenters, monitors and activists
Survivors, survivor groups and humanitarian workers (who gather and use such information other than for immediate care and support purposes)
Managers of organisations
Open-source investigators
Journalists
Criminal investigators
Immigration and asylum officials
Medico-legal experts
Policymakers
Funders
This list is not exhaustive.
The Code does not apply to those who are providing immediate support to survivors.