The Independent Institution is mandated to take a victim-centred approach, with full and meaningful participation and representation of survivors and families across all areas of its work. This means that victims’ rights, agency, needs, wellbeing, safety, security, and dignity should be at the centre of any response to the violations they have suffered. Such an approach upholds victims’ rights and recognises them as rights holders and agents of change. This approach should inform the Independent Institution’s work at every stage, from high-level strategy decisions to day-to-day interpersonal interactions with victims. The importance of this approach also relates to addressing the complexity of the search for the missing. 

The meaningful participation of victims is a necessary component of implementing a victim-centred approach to prevent or limit potential negative consequences of the Independent Institution’s actions, including in its engagement with victims (do no harm approach).