PART I: BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR

GBV CASE MANAGEMENT

Chapter 1: A Survivor-Centred Approach to GBV
Case Management
Chapter 1: A Survivor-Centred Approach to GBV
Case Management

IN THIS CHAPTER, YOU WILL RECEIVE INFORMATION

AND GUIDANCE ON:

1. A survivor-centred approach to GBV case management

2. Theoretical, practical and research foundations for a

survivor-centred approach

3. Guiding principles that underpin a survivor-centred

approach
Introduction

 GBV case management is a structured method for

providing help to a survivor.

 As mentioned earlier, it involves one organization,

usually a psychosocial support or social services
actor, taking responsibility for making sure that
survivors are informed about all the options
available to them, and that issues and problems
facing a survivor are identified and followed up in a
coordinated way
Introduction

 It has unique characteristics that distinguish

it from other approaches to case
management. The approach is called
“survivor-centred.”
WHAT IS A SURVIVOR-CENTRED
APPROACH?
 A survivor-centred approach aims to create a
supportive environment in which each
survivor’s rights are respected and in which
the person is treated with dignity and respect.
A survivor-centred approach recognizes that
every survivor:
1. Has equal rights to care and support
2. Is different and unique
WHAT IS A SURVIVOR-CENTRED
APPROACH?

3. Will react differently to their experience of GBV

4. Has different strengths, capacities, resources
and needs
5. Has the right, appropriate to her/his age and
circumstances, to decide who should know
about what has happened to her/him and what
should happen next
6. Should be believed and be treated with respect,
kindness and empathy.
WHAT IS A SURVIVOR-CENTRED
APPROACH?

Using a survivor-centred approach means that

you:
1. Validate the person’s experience
2. Seek to empower the person
3. Emphasize the person’s strengths
4. Value the helping relationship
WHY USE A SURVIVOR-CENTRED
APPROACH?
 The rationale and impetus for using a
survivor-centred approach in working with
people who have experienced GBV comes
from theory, practice, advocacy by women’s
movements and research
WHY USE A SURVIVOR-CENTRED
APPROACH?
 It is informed by the practice of individuals
and groups who have been at the forefront of
working with survivors of GBV for decades—
many of whom are survivors of sexual
violence and intimate partner violence
themselves.
WHY USE A SURVIVOR-CENTRED
APPROACH?
 It is also grounded in research with survivors
who have articulated the type of support that
is most helpful for them to heal and recover.
These elements are described below.
Social work case management

 GBV case management draws from a social

work approach to case management.

 The aspects of social work case management

that are very present in a survivor-centred
approach are:
Social work case management

1. Person-centred services
2. The role of the survivor–social worker
relationship
3. Person-in-environment framework
4. Strengths perspective
GUIDING PRINCIPLES

 The survivor-centred approach is put in place

through a set of principles that guide the work
of all helpers—no matter what their role is—in
all their interactions with people who have
experienced GBV.

 The principles are described on the next page

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

 PRINCIPLE 1: RIGHT TO SAFETY

 PRINCIPLE 2: RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY

 PRINCIPLE 3: RIGHT TO DIGNITY AND SELF-

DETERMINATION
 PRINCIPLE 4: NON-DISCRIMINATION
The End
Questions &
answers