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.
Amnesty Cornelius is the coordinator for the coalition against the sexual exploitation of youth (CASEY), housed by Thrive. CASEY brings together stakeholders, community members, and experiential voices to create action on this issue in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Amnesty hopes to reduce dichotomies within this work.
Suzanne Murphy is the co-chair of the coalition against the sexual exploitation of youth (CASEY) and a child and youth care worker. Having been engaged with the coalition's work for over three years, Suzanne is passionate and highly knowledgeable about the nuances of engaging people with lived experience.