Nothing About Us Without Us: The Ethical Nuances of Engaging People with Lived Experience in Anti-Sexual Exploitation Work with Youth
Amnesty Cornelius, MHE & Suzanne Murphy, CYCW | September 22 | 1:45-2:45 PM
Topic: Experience, Programming | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
The phrase "Nothing About Us Without Us" has become a rallying cry for the inclusion of marginalized communities in research, programming, and dissemination. While this tenant is fundamental, it poses challenges when engaging with vulnerable populations. In their work with the coalition, the presenters create opportunities for people with lived experience to hold compensated professional roles without the expectation that the individuals disclose lived experience or the details of that experience. While this may sound obvious, it is not a blanket approach. We often see the concept of lived experience used to provide legitimacy and value. Moreover, that value is usually derived from trauma porn or the expectation that having lived experience means sharing that experience with others freely and often. This approach contributes to an emerging dichotomy of "professionals" vs "people with lived experience" as if they are not one-in-the-same. All this begs the question: How do we ethically navigate engaging people with lived experience in the work? In this presentation, the presenters will explore the ethical challenges of engaging people with lived experience, the importance of ensuring those who do engage in the work feel valued beyond their lived experience, and how to provide support and recognition of the work done by experiential voices without requiring disclosure. They will do this by drawing on their work with the Empowering Voices of LiVed Experience (EVOLVE) program for survivor leadership and the coalition. Attendees will reflect on the ethics underlying how they engage people with lived experience.
Presentation Objectives:
· Discuss the importance of engaging people with lived experience as experts in sexual exploitation
· Explore the ethical tensions that are inherent in engaging experiential voices without expecting discloser or identification
· Explain how the presenters navigate these tensions within their program and the challenges they continue to face
· Offer recommendations for more ethical engagement and provide space for reflection