Restorations’ commitment to Ethical Storytelling

One of Restorations Second Stage Homes’ organizational values is “Survivor Voice.” As such, we recognize the essential knowledge of survivors as critical to our program and delivery and seek to amplify their voice(s) through our communications with stakeholders and the public. 

At Restorations, we commit to sharing survivors’ stories in ways that:

  • Elevate survivors

  • Protect confidentiality

  • Promote dignity, respect, and autonomy

  • Refrain from sensationalizing or promoting harmful narratives, stereotypes, myths, or misconceptions

  • Recognize that survivors’ experiences and perspectives are diverse and nuanced

We recognize that there can be a disconnect between intent and impact. We acknowledge that at times, mistakes will be made about the ways we choose to tell stories. We acknowledge we won’t always get it “right,” but remain open to having a posture of humility, curiosity, listening, and learning when the impact of our words and actions cause hurt or harm.

The following is adapted from Ethical Storytelling. Restorations has signed their Ethical Storytelling Pledge.

We pledge to:

  • Tell others’ stories the way they want their story told.

  • Always put survivors first.

  • Explain to survivors the purpose of the story, where it will be used and answer any questions they might have before photographing, filming or recording.

  • Source a qualified translator if necessary or requested. 

  • Ask the survivor if they wish to be named or identified and act according to their wishes. Use all images and messages with the full understanding, participation and permission of the survivor or the survivor’s legal guardian.

  • Uphold the dignity of survivors through empowering imagery and messages that motivate engagement and inspire hope.

  • Truthfully represent a situation or story to educate our audiences of the realities, complexities and nuances of the issues we advocate for.

  • Not use images, footage or words that sensationalize or stereotype a person or a situation. Ask for feedback from survivors and incorporate this feedback into the final story. Abide by international law, standards and protocols related to vulnerable persons, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

  • Listen to survivors’ voices and respect their decisions, story and journey.

  • Hold a posture of humility and learning, recognizing that failures can be our biggest educators.

  • Seek advice if we question whether a particular story, message or image is not in alignment with ethical storytelling practices.

  • Not tell the story, despite the resources invested, when the story cannot be told with the integrity of this pledge.

  • Take ownership of our responsibility to uphold integrity in our storytelling and messaging.

As a community of non-profit practitioners and storytellers, we commit to learning from the past and integrating a new standard of storytelling as we journey together into the future.

Restorations Policy: Client Services (CS)-02 Restorations’ Commitment to Ethical Storytelling