Past Events
Launch of In Our Own Words: Survivor Perspectives Resource and the Murad Code Rights Tool for Survivors
29 January 2025
The Murad Code project held two launch events across different timezones to introduce two important new resources: In Our Own Words: Survivor Perspectives for Those Gathering and Using Information about Systematic and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and the Murad Code Rights Tool for Survivors.
In Our Own Words shares direct quotes from survivors around the world about how they have experienced documentation processes. Their perspectives shed light on the harm caused by assumptions and stigma, demonstrate how practitioners' approaches affect survivors' lives, and show what respectful practice looks like in action. Speakers included Erin Gallagher (US) (1st event), who led the consultations with survivors to develop the resource; survivor-experts Tatiana Mukanire (DRC) (1st event), Joel Toscano (Colombia) (2nd event), and Nadine Tunasi (DRC) (2nd event); Jaya Luintel from The Story Kitchen (1st event), which facilitated survivor consultations in Nepal; and Dr Sabiha Husic from Medica Zenica (2nd event), which facilitated survivor consultations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Rights Tool for Survivors sets out 10 important things for survivors to remember before, during and after taking part in an in-person interview. It was created to help survivors understand their options, consider what questions to ask, and assess whether the person seeking their information respects their rights. Speakers included Marion Volkmann-Brandau (France/Germany) (1st and 2nd events) and Olivia Head (UK) (2nd event), who co-led the consultations, with survivor-experts Oleksandr Maksymenko (Ukraine) (1st event) and Elizabeth Atieno (Kenya) (2nd event).
Priya Gopalan moderated both events.
Launch of the Open-Source Practitioner’s Guide
16 December 2025
This webinar was held to launch the Open-Source Practitioner’s Guide to the Murad Code. Developed with leading experts, practitioners, and survivors, the Guide provides actionable protocols for investigators, researchers, journalists, analysts, and civil society organisations who may - intentionally or otherwise - encounter material related to sexual violence while working with open-source information in conflict and human rights contexts. The webinar features presentations from leading experts on how to apply the guidance in practice to ensure a survivor-centred and effective approach to open-source investigation work.
Latin America Dialogue on the Murad Code
11 December 2024
Systematic and conflict-related sexual violence has been identified as a key push factor for people migrating through Latin America. In addition, those who leave their home countries are at heightened risk of experiencing systematic sexual violence throughout the entire migratory process. Through a roundtable discussion with experts from countries of origin, transit, destination and return, this dialogue examined how key actors involved in addressing mixed migration have approached the documentation, investigation, truth-telling and prosecution of such sexual violence, with the aim of advancing understanding of the general principles that all actors – whether working towards humanitarian, justice or other accountability aims within the region – should adhere to.
West Africa Dialogue on the Murad Code
27 June 2024
The West Africa Dialogue on the Murad Code identified and discussed drivers of harmful and survivor-centred practices related to documenting and investigating SCRSV in the region, focusing on lack of gender sensitivity as a key driver of bad practice. It also discussed how lack of awareness of standards, lack of understanding of how to add value through documentation, and repeated interviewing can lead to practices that further harm victims and survivors.
The Murad Code: how to implement it
28 November 2022
The Institute for International Criminal Investigations hosted a panel discussion on the theme “The Murad Code: how to implement it” at the PSVI conference of 28-29 November 2022 in London. The panellists and audience shared examples and ideas for how the Code could be implemented, with the panelists mainly focusing on cooperation across sectors and by funders, governments, humanitarian actors, the media and civil society, including survivor organisations.
Webinar to release the Murad Code
14 April 2022
This webinar accompanied the release of the Murad Code at the UN Security Council open debate on conflict-related sexual violence on 13 April 2022. Hosted by the Institute for International Criminal Investigations and Nadia’s Initiative, the panelists explored what “survivor-centred” information-gathering, documentation, investigation and reporting means from the perspectives of survivors, and discussed the role of survivors in the development of the Code and wider Murad Code project.