We are proud to share The Circle’s new report, Being Heard: Exploring justice priorities for women survivors of gender-based violence, with a foreword written by Circle Champion and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, which amplifies the voices of 160 women survivors of gender‑based violence in Kenya, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka.
Their message is clear and consistent: justice must begin by listening to survivors – with dignity, compassion, and genuine respect.
Although many countries now have laws in place to address violence against women and girls, countless survivors still face stigma, disbelief, and systems that are slow, confusing, or unsafe to navigate.
This report puts survivors’ experiences and priorities at the centre, reminding us that justice is not only about courts and convictions, but it is also about healing, safety, recognition and preventing future harm.
It is a call to action for governments, communities, and all of us who care about building a fairer, safer world.
Download the Being Heard report
Five key takeaways from the report:
- Justice is deeply personal: Survivors describe justice as dignity, safety, respect, and being believed – not only legal outcomes.
- Barriers are widespread and systemic: Stigma, poor treatment by officials, slow processes, and a lack of support leave many survivors feeling unsafe and unheard.
- Safety and protection come first: Survivors want stronger safeguards, protection from perpetrators, and assurance that reporting violence won’t put their jobs or homes at risk.
- Prevention matters as much as punishment: Many called for better education in communities and schools to challenge harmful norms and stop violence before it starts.
- Survivors want trauma‑informed, compassionate systems: From police officers to healthcare workers, survivors need professionals trained to respond with empathy and respect.
This report is a testament to the strength and leadership of the women who shared their stories. Their insights guide us towards survivor‑centred justice systems that protect, empower, and prevent harm. We are using these insights to drive advocacy to demand survivor-centred justice reforms – watch this space to learn more.
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