Since #MeToo went viral in 2017, stories about survivors in the media have skyrocketed. But far too often, the way these stories are told has caused even more harm. 

We believe that storytellers have a responsibility to speak truth to power and that storytelling can create space to empower survivors. By “storytellers,” we mean journalists, reporters, editors, content creators, social media influencers, advocates, researchers, experts, and anyone who uses their platform to share stories with a broader audience. The Code of Ethics created by the Society of Professional Journalists asks to minimize harm by treating everyone with dignity and respect. This includes survivors and how we talk about abuse, violence, and trauma. Our shared goal must be to combat this existing crisis, in part by addressing the myths and misinformation that contribute to it.

Most storytellers do not have standardized knowledge about trauma or how to work with survivors. Even storytellers with the best intentions can dehumanize survivors. Given the existing legal system and culture of violence, survivors are rarely granted autonomy and authority over their own stories. When survivors have to reshare their story over and over again, they may relive the experience all over again, too, creating additional layers of trauma. In this process they are often met with disbelief, pressure, shaming, and blaming, which can lead to more trauma and victimization, making it harder for them to heal and move forward.

Both survivors and storytellers can be harmed in this process. Storytellers may also be survivors. Both face risks of legal liability, harassment, job loss, and negative impacts on their own health and wellbeing. If storytellers take on the responsibility of telling survivor stories, they must prioritize survivor’s autonomy and dignity. 

In our push for survivor-informed journalism, we are sharing a list of proposals that aim to guide ethical reporting and dialogue about power-based violence. We have compiled this list based on existing best practices in the field of survivor support, findings from academic literature, and knowledge grounded in decades of grassroots feminist anti-violence organizing. This list is nonexhaustive, as every survivor’s experience of trauma is unique. We urge storytellers to commit to serve the needs of survivors with diverse backgrounds, sociocultural positions, and experiences. We hope to grow an influential coalition of survivors and their allies who stand behind these proposals. 

This list of proposals can serve multiple purposes. It can give survivors who are the subject of media coverage a framework to advocate for themselves and seek accountability. It can educate and inform journalists and content creators. It can be a tool for community oversight and support. And it can be one of many steps toward justice for survivors. 

Small changes can lead to big differences. Survivors deserve better. Survivor stories deserve better.