This field manual provides step-by-step practical guidance for human rights defenders, supporting safe and ethical documenting of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The manual focuses on the process of documenting, grounded in detailed preparation, from clarifying the purposes of documenting, to planning safe approaches, ensuring real informed consent, trauma-sensitive information gathering and follow-up using a survivor-centred and rights-based approach. 

 

Developed through field experience working with CRSV survivors and aligned with international standards, including the Murad Code, the Manual offers concrete tools such as checklists and templates. It emphasises agency, confidentiality, risk awareness and collaborative engagement. The Manual is intended as a practical resource that can be used in training, field operations and policy development.

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This is the third in a series of Manuals funded by the Matrix Causes Fund, building on Countering Identity-basesd Violence  published in 2023,  and Documenting Identity-based violence published in 2024.