Safety First
Consider potential harm before recording and publication. Participants may stop the conversation, exclude a passage, or choose anonymity.
Methodology · Do No Harm
Ethics: Respect, Safety, and Accountability
An ethical decision considers participant dignity, cultural context, potential harm, and a community's right to be heard.
At a glance
Why this guide matters
Formal consent is not enough when publication creates foreseeable risk. Sensitive material requires additional review and a clear feedback route.
Material status
This is an editorial guide for the initiative’s development version. It explains an approach and does not replace professional medical, legal or financial advice.
Practical route
Three steps for responsible work
Begin with context, record decisions and preserve each person’s right to revisit the terms.
Respectful Representation
Do not exoticise traditions or rank cultures by an external scale. Present regional differences and participant perspectives without generalising about groups.
Review and Feedback
Refer sensitive material to a country expert and ethics committee. Prioritise community concerns and document the decisions made.
Working checklist
What to check before moving on
- Pause the work when a new participant risk emerges.
- Offer anonymity and restrictions on material use.
- Review cultural accuracy with a country expert.
- Document decisions on sensitive editorial questions.
Both photographs on this page are unique object-based AI illustrations. They do not depict real people, traditions or places.
FAQ
Common questions
How should conflicting testimonies be presented?
Describe each perspective's context and the differences without turning personal testimony into a proven general conclusion.
Can a ceremony recording always be published?
No. Rights, consent, and cultural review are required; sometimes the respectful decision is not to publish.
Have experience or expert insight?
Tell us how you could contribute. Material is published only after rights, sources and consent have been reviewed.