Note: all survivor names are pseudonyms

In 2022, when IJM Philippines formally introduced the role of Survivor Consultant in partnership with survivor leaders, the narrative shifted dramatically. Before, survivors would tell their stories to help increase awareness of the crime. Today, survivors not only share their experiences purposefully—they design programs, advise policy, and lead initiatives.

In 2024, survivors from the Philippine Survivor Network (PSN) co-authored Voices of Empowerment with IJM Philippines, documenting what they learned so far from their work as survivor consultants.

Covering topics such as ethics, compensation, trauma-informed approaches, and working models that re-shape the identities and public images of survivors today, these insights create an invaluable guide for anyone looking to collaborate with survivors. They also help ensure that survivors are treated with honor and respect.

A survivor engagement model

The Voices of Empowerment Report serves as a practical guide and a replicable model for other organizations and projects. It outlines workflows, challenges, and best practices, making it a blueprint for ethical, empowering, and meaningful survivor engagement.

This report... can be used by others as a template for their own survivor engagement initiatives. – Joy

It also helps partners anticipate certain needs and details: For example:

• Expected challenges of survivor engagements, such as balancing survivors’ work responsibilities with opportunities for advocacy; taking into account their schedules and the fact that some are working professionals or full-time students.

• Recommendations on properly accounting for, and compensating survivors’ time and expertise; including provisions for food and transportation.

• Why and how to protect survivors’ privacy during public events.

• Managing risks of trauma; - having a support system and assuring survivors that they always have a choice to stop at any time. They are also not required to share their personal stories as they participate in meetings or discussions, and reminded that they can choose when and to whom they share personal stories.

Survivor leader Ruby presented a survivor engagement workflow at the 2025 Survivor Conference, along with a survivor engagement checklist, which is available upon request through [email protected]

Key Insights on Survivor Engagement from the Voices of Empowerment Report

1. Survivors are experts, not just beneficiaries

Survivors can become consultants and co-creators of solutions. Their lived experience must be recognized as a form of expertise.

We bring to the table our own knowledge and understanding of issues, and we are able to comment on existing systems or proposed solutions based on experience.

– Liberty, Survivor Consultant

Voices of Empowerment showcases how survivors of online sexual exploitation draw from their experience to lead change as consultants, advocates, and policy influencers. It documents the creation of the Survivor Consultant role and highlights how survivor-led advocacy is transforming child protection efforts in the Philippines.

2. Survivors experience healing through working together for a cause

Engagement in advocacy and system reform is not just about helping others—it also becomes a pathway to healing for survivors themselves. This dual benefit is a powerful insight for designing survivor-centered programs.

You are more than your pain. Your voice matters. You will heal, like we did. And you will help others heal too.

– Joy, Survivor Consultant

3. Community and peer support are strong motivators

Survivors found strength in peer collaboration. Working together fostered a sense of community, mutual encouragement, and empowerment—highlighting the importance of group-based engagement models.

We spent months working together, exchanging stories, encouraging, and inspiring each other...

– Joy

4. Survivor voice is valuable: ethical inclusion as a standard

The report emphasizes meaningful and ethical inclusion. Survivors were involved in roundtable discussions, content development, and strategic planning, with their voices shaping the outcomes.

This report shows how IJM... engaged us and included us in discussions, meaningfully and ethically.

– Liberty

5. Survivor voices can influence justice systems

Survivors are not only capable of sharing their stories—they are ready to influence policy and justice systems. Their insights can lead to more responsive, trauma-informed, and effective interventions.

We can create significant change and impact justice systems through our contributions.

– Liberty

View the Voices of Empowerment report here.

It's time to take action

These insights are not just key learnings; they are also a call to action.

This is an opportune time to partner with survivors. And we hope this report invites, as well as challenges, organizations to join forces with survivors in the work of child protection.

This is also an encouragement to the Philippine government agencies for having nurtured a culture in which survivors of the crime are not just heard but empowered to lead. Where there is not only justice, but transformation.