Ethics
Ethics isn't a slogan or an add-on
It's the foundation of everything we do
At The Survivors, ethics are not a slogan or a department. They are the core of how we work. We do not believe that intention alone protects people. We believe that clear boundaries, transparent processes, and accountable practice do.
This approach comes from hard experience. Too many institutions meant to protect children and survivors of abuse failed not because they lacked good intentions, but because systems that were supposed to protect vulnerable children were warped to protect the institutions instead.
This wasn't just negligence. It was a structural failure rooted in self-protection, bureaucratic convenience, and a willingness to prioritise institutional reputation over the safety and dignity of children.
We refuse to repeat those patterns.
We believe that trust is not built by good intentions or strong words. Trust is built by clear boundaries, consistent behaviour, and structures that limit power rather than protect it. That is why ethics here are not an add-on. They are how the organisation operates.
Accountability,
Not bureaucracy.
We don't believe ethics is about filling forms, ticking boxes, or following procedures that exist to limit liability rather than prevent harm. Those systems often serve the organisation, not the people it's meant to help.
Our ethical framework is different. It's designed to be responsive to people, not process. It centres the autonomy and safety of survivors while holding ourselves to clear, enforceable standards.
This means we prioritise care over compliance. We focus on what actually protects people, not what looks good on paper. And we commit to transparency—not as a performance, but as a responsibility.
You can read our full ethical framework to see exactly how we work, what you can expect from us, and where limits are placed on our own power.
What ethical practice looks like
Ethical practice means survivors set the pace. It means consent is ongoing, not a single signature. It means confidentiality is protected unless there's a clear and agreed reason to share. It means no one is pressured to disclose, to participate, or to represent others.
It means being honest about what we can and cannot do. It means admitting mistakes and correcting them. It means working independently of political pressure, institutional influence, and funding that comes with strings attached.
It means treating everyone—survivors, volunteers, professionals, and our audience—with honesty, dignity, and respect.
It also means recognising our own power and being accountable for how we use it. Authority is not protected from challenge. Questions and concerns are welcome. If something doesn't feel right, you have the right to say so.
If something isn't right
We don't ask to be trusted without scrutiny. If you have concerns about how we're working, how decisions are being made, or how someone has been treated, we want to know.
You can raise a concern, ask a question, or make a complaint at any time. You will not be penalised for doing so.