all potential symptoms that may be evident in
victims. Thus, disengagement from public life,
including public and semi-public debates among
survivors of TFGBV is included in order to
highlight the implications for equal political
participation. Therefore, it is important to
capture detailed reflections and insights into the
institutional and personal responses of TFGBV,
challenges in providing required psychological
support, in order to reach the broader
implications on women’s participation in political
and economic life.
• Procedure: The interviews were semi-structured,
allowing for flexibility in exploring different
aspects of personal reflections, while ensuring
the coverage of the main topics. The KIIs were
conducted online and in-person, based on
interviewee preference, in as safe and neutral
environments as possible, with measures in place
to ensure confidentiality and provide emotional
support if deemed relevant, required, or
requested by the participants.
3.3. Guidelines for Interviewing
Survivors
The below guidelines have been taken from Feminist
Interviewing Experience, Take and Knowledge by L.
DeVault, and Gross paper, and from the experiences
of feminist facilitators.
3.3.1 Ethical Considerations
• Privacy: Interviewers ensured the privacy and
confidentiality of the information shared by
survivors, in line with feminist perspectives.
Additionally, verbatim information/quotes from
participants were anonymized throughout the
paper.
• Informed Consent: All participants were fully
informed about the study's purpose, procedures,
risks, and benefits. Written consent focusing on
confidentiality was obtained before participation.
Moreover, the consent form ensured that
participants were aware of the voice recording
that took place during the session.
• Confidentiality: Data was anonymous, and
participants' identities and personal information
were protected throughout the research process.
Sensitive information was stored securely and
only accessible to authorized personnel. It is also
important to emphasize that the data collected
was and will not be used for any other research
purposes.
• Support Services: Participants, especially
survivors of TFGBV, were provided with
information and access to psychological support
services during and after the study, if needed.
• Avoid Victim-Blaming Language: Used language
that avoided blaming the survivor, created a
supportive environment.
• Comfort in Setting: Ensured that the setting,
place, and time of the interview made the
survivor feel comfortable.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Took into account the
cultural background and context in both the
questions and the conduct of the interview. We
emphasized to have an equal relationship
between the facilitator and the participants to
create an environment of a safe space.
• Active Listening and Empathy: Adopted an
active listening approach, demonstrating
empathy rather than sympathy.
• Openness: informed participants that end results
will be shared with them.
3.3.2. Handling Triggering Information
It is common during these interviews and sessions
regarding personal experiences to have triggering
information, and the interviewer needed to:
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