Increase choice and control

OUR ACTIONS - INCREASE CHOICE & CONTROL

Before exploring this page we invite you to view, share, embed 'Our Actions' (7mins).

Our Actions Cover Border - Choice and Control

Let's take action to increase the choice and control for victim-survivors of violence and abuse.

This document focuses on the importance of supporting victim-survivors choice and control. It includes information and ideas for action.

  • My choice and control
  • Creating Possibilities - Through visibility
  • Creating Possibilities - In language 
  • Creating Possibilities - Digitally

You can view the full lightbox by selecting ‘All’, or you can view the lightbox using the filters for each of chapters of content. Click on the first tile to open the tiles in full screen.

Filter by
We need to be increasing the choice and control featured within the support options.
Follow my meaning - Follow my meaning about what my world means to me. “Please don’t assume I have safety with you or your country, systems, services or in society. I know you want to help but if you oversimplify my experiences, so that you don’t feel uncomfortable, or make assumptions about me so that you feel you understand, you lose sight of what's going on for me, and what matters to me. Please don’t assume what I have had to, or having to do, for safety and dignity.” [Excerpt: Follow My Meaning] We invite you to view, share and embed the Follow My Meaning animation (7:40mins) [https://vimeo.com/968476618] Using your phone, you can scan the static QR Code to open the animation on the Responders Lab page, or view it on the next slide. www.insightexchange.net/responders-lab
Play the embedded 'Follow My Meaning' (Animation)
‘We all anticipate and rely on the responses of others. For example, when making plans, when taking risks, sharing ideas, sharing resources, assessing safety, changing our mind, seeking advice. In our interactions, we all anticipate which actions and inactions will have immediate and/or long-term consequences for us and others. Just because meaning making, dignity, deliberation, resistance and the responses of others matters to all of us, this doesn’t mean we all have the same power, and access to safety and resources… The power to make decisions, to have options and to be protected and live in safety. The safety to be, belong, to live and lead your life, and to care for others. Where we have what we need to enact decisions and live safely in community.’ [Excerpt: Our Interactions]
“What is safe for one victim-survivor may be dangerous for another. This is why we need to be led by victim-survivors, not just because this is respectful, but because its dangerous not to. Widening what types of support options are available and increasing the choice and control featured within these options, is essential to upholding dignity, building on safety, and following a victim-survivors lead.” [Excerpt: Our Actions] Contents: This document focuses on the importance of supporting victim-survivors choice and control. It includes information and ideas for action. My choice and control (p6-11) Creating Possibilities – Through visibility (p15) Creating Possibilities - In language (p20) Creating Possibilities – Digitally (p30)
Simplifying my life, and what matters to me, can undermine my being and belonging, how I am described, assessed and understood, my safety, dignity and options. But I am much more than the parts or the sum of any descriptions or assumptions. And there will always be much more that matters to me and going on for me than fits into words or is safe to reveal. Respect my choice and control to define what things mean to me and what matters to me. Victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexualised violence and abuse shouldn’t have to repeatedly ask for what they need, nor risk their safety and dignity to explain what they need. As responding individuals, institutions, business, organisations and services we need to be listening and responding to what matters to victim-survivors. All people rely on the core principles of safety and dignity to live and lead their lives. The perpetration of violence and abuse involves taking control and limiting options - overpowering the victim, undermining their safety and limiting their access to resources. It is important that features of choice and control are valued and central within our responses.
1. The choice to be silent or to talk. The control about how much to say, when and in what way. 2. The choice about who I do and don’t talk to for safety and dignity. The control to change my mind, change my decisions, change my meaning about my experiences over time. 3. The choice to explore and consider information and insights, and in a language I choose. The control to access information and insights discreetly - without having to ask someone, and without creating a digital footprint. 4. The choice to give feedback, make a report, make a record or a complaint, and in a language I choose. The control about how my time is used when seeking support, and what records are made and shared about me.
1. The choice to be silent or to talk. The control about how much to say, when and in what way. Explore ‘Talk and Silence’ We invite you to explore the intentional ways in which language and silences are used and mis-used to build on or undermine safety, dignity and justice - www.insightexchange.net/talk 'Talk' is a reflection resource designed to reveal and value the strategic considerations of victim-survivors when deciding if, when and how to tell someone about experiences of violence and abuse. We invite you to read the booklet Talk www.insightexchange.net/talk
2. The choice about who I do and don’t talk to for safety and dignity. The control to change my mind, change my decisions, change my meaning about my experiences over time. Explore ‘My Safety Kit’ & understanding victim-survivor’s reasons to fear. My Safety Kit - a reflection resource designed to support people who are, or may be, experiencing domestic, family and sexualised violence. www.insightexchange.net/my-safety-kit Fear - As responders we can better understand victim-survivors many reasons to fear, when we explore what victim-survivors are having to do, not do, give up and go without to be able to survive and lead their lives. www.insightexchange.net/fear
3. The choice to explore and consider information and insights, and in a language I choose. The control to access information and insights discreetly - without having to ask someone, and without creating a digital footprint. Explore the ‘My safety kit ‘decision-making tool’. ‘If or when I do reach out to someone, I don’t have to make any decisions, or all my decisions at once. And no-one should be expecting me to.’ [Excerpt: My Safety Kit] Scan the static QR Code to open the My Safety Kit decision-making tool (3.5 mins) on the My Safety Kit landing page www.insightexchange.net/my-safety-kit (website has a quick-exit button) or view the My Safety Kit decision-making tool animation on the next page.
Play the embedded My Safety Kit - Decision-making tool (Animation)
4. The choice to give feedback, make a report, make a record or a complaint, and in a language I choose. The control about how my time is used when seeking support, and what records are made and shared about me. Explore My Ecosystem Matters “We might need to know more, or we might want to understand more, and we may never be trusted with more. When we are deliberating about our responses, we must be aware - we only ever see and know part of the picture . As responders in the ecosystem, we are part of creating possibilities. Understanding the way information is created, used and misused, informs how we respond. No matter our role, our responses impact safety, dignity and justice.” [Excerpt: My Ecosystem Matters] We invite you to view, share and embed the My Ecosystem Matters animation (10:30mins) [https://vimeo.com/968481464] Using your phone, you can scan the static QR Code to open the animation on the Responders Lab page or view it on the next slide. www.insightexchange.net/responders-lab
Play the embedded My Ecosystem Matters (Animation)
We need to be creating possibilities to support victim-survivors choice and control - Through visibility, In language and digitally.
Creating possibilities by making your stance against violence clear and your support options visible. "I might know what I need now and next, but can’t see what you stand for, or how you might be able to support me.”
When our stance against domestic, family and sexualised violence, and our support options are invisible, victim-survivors can’t find, consider or seek our support. When our responses to domestic, family and sexualised violence are invisible or inadequate, perpetrators of violence and abuse are more able to: - conceal their responsibility for violence and abuse when definitions and descriptions of forms of violence are inconsistent or inaccurate. - extend their control and evade consequences when victim-survivors cannot safely source or seek support. - undermine the victim-survivor’s perception of whether supports are available. - isolate victim-survivors from supports when the support offer is hidden or unclear. - undermine the certainty of victim-survivor’s plans by weaponising gaps in the supports or making false threats about what services and systems will or won’t do if the victim-survivor reaches out. If a victim-survivor is not given visibility about the support option and the process, they carry the burden of risk and effort to their safety and dignity. REFLECTION How communicative or silent is our community, workplace business, service or institution about our stance against domestic, family and sexualised violence, and our support options available to victim-survivors?
The No Hidden Door Collection was commissioned in 2022 by Insight Exchange. This collection of original artworks was created by collaborating artist Louise Whelan. The artworks are designed to illuminate the importance of making the ‘door’ of responding services and organisations more visible to the public and valued ongoingly by industry as a response to victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexualised violence. Explore more on the Arts Lab landing page View the Artist talk (8.5mins) Read the artist statement www.insightexchange.net/arts-lab © Insight Exchange No Hidden Door Collection © Artwork by collaborating Artist Louise Whelan Artwork 1 of 5: Smoke and Mirrors  A collage of opportunity, in this maze of revolving potential access. The duality of the smoke and mirrors intended to disguise or draw attention away from the often-unpleasant issue. I am prepared and ready. Will I find the right door to enter? 
Artwork 2 of 5: Tunnel Traces of the human computer interactions with this relentless quest for help. Time passes through me. Am I in a void? Will I ever pass through the door? Artwork 3 of 5: Yellow Door Embodied in the access of this forced entry, I see people have been here before me. They have left me clues that I cannot read. No sign posting for easy access. Is my problem worthy of a response? Do I have the right to gain access?
Artwork 4 of 5: Red Door   Red alert. Anyone, anywhere anytime. Hovering near the access of a hidden door, layered with dominating sharp-edged shadows. Will I be heard amongst the noise?  Artwork 5 of 5: Old Double Doors I feel like I am liaising with the unseen, my effort seems futile. Will my safety be compromised by entering? Have I come to the right place? Is anyone even expecting me?
Creating possibilities in language to support victim-survivors choice and control. The choice and control to access information and communicate through language and in language is not equal or shared. The following information is set out to support creating possibilities in language. A. Working with or through bilingual supports. B. Working with certified language interpreters. C. Working with translators. D. Writing for translation. E. Voice interpreted materials.
There are many ways in which people navigate the need for and the use of language and silences. Language about violence and abuse is not definitive or universal. For many people, the national language may not be the first language spoken or may not be the preferred or used language to communicate through. With approximately 7,000 known languages in existence today, we cannot assume that concepts and words have the same or equivalent words and meanings in other languages. We cannot assume that words about domestic, family and sexualised violence hold the same use or meaning across all languages. ‘Global, national, state and territory definitions of domestic, family and sexualised violence and criminal codes vary, however violence and abuse is never acceptable in any community, family, institution, place or context.’ Words about violence and abuse may be non-existent, prohibited, meaningless or taboo in some or many languages. Some things may be spoken about and others never mentioned. Sometimes there are just no words in the language that is spoken, to say or describe what needs to be said.
There may be times where a victim-survivor prefers or requests a person known to them to be assisting in facilitating language for and with them. To support safety and dignity it is important that the victim-survivor has choice and control in the decision about when and if to involve a bilingual support and who that person might be. A bilingual support is not an interpreter but has the ability to convey information to the extent that their language allows them. Unlike an interpreter who is required to be fluent in both languages, a bilingual person, even if equally fluent in both languages, may not have the certified skills to interpret for two people needing to communicate with each other. When a victim-survivor requests to bring a bilingual there may be no way of mandating and confirming confidentiality, accuracy or transparency or neutrality. It is important to clarify to the victim-survivor and to the bilingual support person that their bilingual support is not the same as a certified interpreter. A bilingual person can be valuable as a support person in interactions where a certified interpreter is present. Bilingual supports are not a substitute for certified interpreters. For more information on the use of bilingual supports please see: Australian Government Language Services Guidelines (Page 32) AUSIT_notes-on-interpreters_and_bilinguals.pdf (Page 2-3)
When bilingual support is being considered and involved, a victim-survivor might wonder… Before we start, have you asked me: - If I am I ok with a bilingual support person being used? - If I am I ok with who the bilingual support person is? Have you explained to me that: - Bilingual supports are not bound by a code of confidentiality. - I can choose to stop at any time, and I don’t have to explain why.
Interpreting is the oral transfer of meaning of the spoken word from one language to another language and back again. Certified Interpreters Certified Interpreters are professional, skilled and bound by a code of ethics and confidentiality. To support safety and dignity it is important that the victim-survivor has choice and control in the decision about when and if to involve a certified interpreter, and in any considerations they may have as to who that person might be. Certified Interpreters can be utilised in different ways: Face to Face On the Telephone Audio visual mode / video link Through Face time and on hand-held devices One on one or with and in groups Sight translation by voice AUSLAN and DEAF Interpreting* *Below is the link to DEAF Connect which provides Australia wide AUSLAN interpreters https://deafconnect.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Working-with-Auslan-Interpreters.pdf
When a certified interpreter is being considered and involved, a victim-survivor might wonder… Before we start, have you asked me: - If I am I ok with a certified interpreter being used? - If I am clear or have more questions about confidentiality? - If there are other concerns, I might have about the conversation or what may happen after the conversation? Have you explained to me that: - Interpreters are bound by a code of confidentiality. - Everything that is said by me, to me, or about me in this interaction will be interpreted. - You will be speaking to me through the interpreter and that I can do the same. - I can choose to stop at any time, and I don’t have to explain why.
We invite you to look at the guidelines for working with interpreters.   For readers in Australia: Australian Government Language Services Guidelines https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/settlement-services-subsite/files/language-services-guidelines.pdf Page 23 Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT)_Info-sheet-Communicating-via-interpreter.pdf General Guidelines | AUSIT | Translators & Interpreters Australia. For international readers: Federation of Interpreters and Translators International Interpreting – getting it right guide for working with interpreters. https://en.fit-ift.org/resources/ Please note that countries worldwide may also have their national and local associations.
Translating is the written conversion of a text from one language to another language. Language about violence and abuse is not definitive or universal, and it is important to attend to the meaning intended when translating. We invite you to explore more information about interpreting and translating. For readers in Australia: AUSIT (Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators) General Guidelines | AUSIT | Translators & Interpreters Australia https://ausit.org/general-guidelines/ For international readers: FIT (Federation of Professional Associations of Interpreters and Translators worldwide) https://en.fit-ift.org/
Preparation of material written in one language for the purpose of translation into another language is the process called “Writing for translation”. In writing for translation, the focus is in ensuring that the message intended is the message received. Concepts, words, phrases, and terms about domestic, family and sexualised violence may need to be considered and reconsidered when material is being prepared for translation into other languages. Two key steps for writing for translation are: 1. Writing the source text in plain language (e.g. plain English) 2. Writing the accompanying text in the plain language (e.g. plain English) with explanations that are required to inform the translation. This accompanying text includes for example, inserted (bracketed) instructions/ explanations in the form of ‘notes to translator’ in the body of the source text. Note: These notes are not for translation but are to assist the translator. In preparing materials for translation, some useful considerations are listed below. These are not exhaustive. - What is being written and who is it for? - Have all concepts and ideas been presented one at a time? - Are any complex sentences or double negatives edited? - Have all acronyms, jargon and terms been explained? The link below contains further information on what to consider when preparing information for translation. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/settlement-services-subsite/files/language-services-guidelines.pdf (See Page 43 National Guidelines; Preparing material for translation)
Language in its spoken form has tone, pitch and intonation. Pitch is generally the rise and fall of a person’s voice. When pitch is varied and changed, at the level of words or syllables, it can create completely different meanings. This is often called tone. Whereas when pitch is manipulated at the level of phrases and sentences to convey a different meaning – this is called intonation. When communicating, tone, pitch and intonation can significantly change meaning. When creating voice interpreted materials it can be useful to: - Write the source material with the same considerations as ‘writing for translation’. - Include accompanying notes where tone, pitch and intonation matter within the source language.
Creating possibilities digitally to support victim-survivors choice and control. The choice and control to shape and access information digitally, and to communicate through digital channels, is not equal or shared. ‘The digital divide refers to the disparity caused by disproportionate access to contemporary telecommunications technology (internet, computers, smartphones) between different demographics and locations. The internet gap between men and women, as well as between nations and even continents, has been closing over the last decade. However, about one-third of the world’s population, or 2.6 billion people, do not have access to the internet, as reported by the International Telecommunication Union.’ [Source: https://www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/post/185774/internet-access-and-digital-divide] International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies. 
Choice and control matters in digital connectivity For people who do have digital connectivity, there are many ways in which they navigate the digital world. For example; We might be using a range of technology tools and spaces such as smartphones, the metaverse and artificial intelligence. Digital platforms may serve some victim-survivors as a useful channel for discreetly or independently accessing information and/or supports. For others, the perpetrator who is using violence and abuse against them, may be weoponising technology, digital content, channels or systems to extend and conceal their abuse. The responsibility to provide a ‘user’ with clear options for choice and control aligns with broader consumer rights frameworks and international conventions, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which affirm individuals' rights to privacy, safety, and autonomy in accessing information and/or services. By embedding principles of choice and control, organisations not only meet legal and ethical obligations but also uphold the dignity and agency of users navigating information and support systems. Creating possibilities in our website communication. As responders in roles that shape what gets publicly and internally communicated, we can: 1. Acknowledge and stand against domestic, family and sexualised violence. 2. Provide information and signposting. 3. Support informed choice. 4. Make processes visible. 5. Include features and functions to support safety. 6. Communicate options and support control. The following pages explore these areas (above) in more detail. Page 38 includes a guided checklist is to support self-auditing of what gets publicly and internally communicated.
“I don’t like what I am experiencing in this relationship. When I turned to see if what was being done to me was ‘wrong’ I found very little information, and my experiences just didn’t fit or count. I figured I mustn’t be experiencing ‘abuse’ or it’s not ‘abusive enough’ for me to be taken seriously or eligible to receive support.” 1. Acknowledge and stand against domestic, family and sexualised violence. As responders in roles that shape what gets publicly and internally communicated: 1.1 Acknowledge that violence and abuse can be perpetrated by and experienced by anyone. 1.2 Acknowledge definitions vary across locations, however violence is never ok. 1.3 Acknowledge and explain there are many forms of violence and abuse domestic, family and sexualised violence is often a pattern of controlling or coercive behaviour whenever people are subjected to abuse, coercive control, and violence, they resist and respond Just because the victim-survivor of violence can’t stop the perpetrators choice to use violence, it doesn’t mean they made or let the abuse happen or continue.
“One website was offering some words for what I was experiencing. But the label just wasn’t enough. They didn’t provide much information or signposting on where I could find out more. This left me to search from scratch, and to second guess myself. I didn’t know where to start and didn’t have the privacy or safety to spend time searching.” 2. Provide information and signposting. As responders in roles that shape what gets publicly and internally communicated: 2.1 Provide direct information or links to more information about each form of violence. 2.2 Provide links to information about internal and external supports. 2.3 Provide access to information and reflection resources that don’t require talking to someone or making contact.
“It’s a big decision (and for me a big risk) to reach out. Knowing more before making any contact can inform my choice about if and how I take my next step. Everywhere there is this general number to call but what is on the other side?” 3. Support informed choice. As responders in roles that shape what gets publicly and internally communicated: 3.1 Clarify information about what is offered, who is eligible, what the options are. 3.2 Consider – ‘What support options can I make possible?’ 3.3 Clarify rights, responsibilities, channels for feedback and complaints
“I’m always aware of the possible threats and consequences of changing something or seeking support. If I don’t know the process of what happens when I make contact, how can I know if this is safe enough for me? And how can I plan my steps if I can’t see ahead?” 4. Make processes visible. As responders in roles that shape what gets publicly and internally communicated: 4.1 Describe the process of what will happen after making contact. 4.2 Display the process and steps visually so that people can see their steps and see ahead.
“I’m sometimes monitored by the person abusing me - in person, on my phone and online. I may have limited time and safety to search for information about what support is available. I may have to close the website in a hurry. I may need to hide that I have searched at all. What functions and features do you have in place to make my access to information safer?” 5. Include features and functions to support safety. As responders in roles that shape what gets publicly and internally communicated: 5.1 Include features that support safer access, use and exit from the website. 5.2 Clarify practices that support privacy and reduce digital footprint or exposure.
“I am really aware of which options work best for me and when I can browse or make contact. Using email, chat functions or making a call might be safe one day and dangerous the next. When I can’t see information about the options, and what choice and control I will have, this may add to the danger I am facing and deter me from reaching out at all. What choice and control do you give me about being in contact?” 6. Communicate options and support control. As responders in roles that shape what gets publicly and internally communicated: 6.1 Create different channels for making contact and clarify when these are available. 6.2 Communicate what digital footprint each channel might create if used.
This guided checklist is to support responders in roles that shape what gets publicly and internally communicated. The checklist contains the points listed in the previous 6 pages.
Insight Exchange www.insightexchange.net © Insight Exchange

Explore more from 'Our Actions':

Return to the Our Actions landing page.