Resources For Survivors (resourcesforsurvivors.org) is being rebuilt to best fit: 1. a wide variety of resources; 2. be clear which demographic(s) each resources match (e.g. survivors, attorneys, engineers). Resources from, and related to, the project will be moved here temporarily as the project is being updated.
The goals of the project are to: provide resources for survivors and practitioners, in easily digestible and accessible formats. Please clear your browser history regularly to continue safely using this resource.
Someone who lives/lived, and continues/continued on, despite having experience [a] traumatic event(s);Usage of “survivor” in survivor-centred frameworks also refer to systemic effects of violence
Victim
Someone who has experienced and/or lived through [a] traumatic event(s)
[WTD] What's The Difference: Which should I use, Victim or Survivor?
Our choice in language matters. There are distinctions with both words, both are valid with utility, and it is best practice to mirror the language an individual uses–many use them interchangeably based on setting, topic, and context in discussion about the relation to a person(s) or event(s).Give survivors autonomy: someone who has experienced and lived through a traumatic event is still a whole individual; they are not defined by nor linked to any person and/or event.
[UTNT] Use This, Not That: What are examples of language I should avoid when referring to Victims and Survivors?
❌ Prey / ❌ Preyed ➡ ✅ Target / ✅ Targeted: The former removes agency from victims and survivors–who have always been whole individuals with autonomy–to their abuser(s). This also creates a false impression of (i.e. misconstrues) how people target victims. Usage: "Person X targeted Person Y through [Z tactics]".
Mental Health
Psychological Safety
The ability to express fully and authentically without fear of negative consequences to oneself including self-image, interpersonal relationships, professionally, etc.
Trauma
An emotional response due to a distressing, stressful, psychologically overwhelming experience;Refers to both situations and/or events (traumatic), and the impact they have following them (trauma)
Defining: What is Abuse?
Defining: The Features of Abuse
Desensitisation
Discussing or sharing materials that are increasingly sensitive and of personal topics to eventually make sexual contact with a victim under inappropriate circumstancesA form of deception and manipulation in behaviour(s) and/or action(s)
Isolation
Seeking positions to gain access to victims in order to attempt separating them physically and psychologically from their support networks (e.g. peers, friends, family)A form of deception and manipulation in behaviour(s) and/or action(s)
Secrecy
alternative to "Sharing Secrets"Disclosure of [inappropriate] information with the purpose of impairing a victim's cognitive, psychological, and/or mental stateCoercion to maintain the relationship via requiring the disclosed [inappropriate] information (via usage of Trust Development), and/or other inappropriate acts and/or behaviours, to remain privateA form of deception and manipulation in behaviour(s) and/or action(s)
Trust Development
Create a false sense of intimacy, to obtain additional personal/sensitive information, and make the relationship feel specialUsage of Secrecy, Deception, Manipulation in order to enable the environmentA form of deception and manipulation in behaviour(s) and/or action(s)
Defining: Overview of Laws, Regulations, and Frameworks (US, EU)
Reporting in the Legal System (US)
Reporting in the Legal System (EU)
Defining: Privacy and Security Terminology
Please refer to a future resource that will list categories of options e.g. vendor-neutral list of security and privacy products based on circumstances, local to federal resources, organisations that support victims and survivors immediately after a traumatic event. The following are definitions of the major categories.
