6. Monitoring Methodology ical care and psychological support if the victims of SGBV do not already have access to these services. Released detainees/prisoners are more likely to talk about abuse and may also be more prepared to give their consent for follow-up action. Similarly, monitors may wish to consider interviewing family members and other visitors, lawyers and service providers. This can be useful in obtaining information if detainees/prisoners are themselves unable to discuss the abuse. Such discussions might also reveal instances of abuse against the visitors, lawyers and service providers themselves. Additionally, based on their knowledge of particular facilities, former detainees/prisoners and other stakeholders may give useful suggestions on priority areas for monitoring, or the most effective way to approach the issue of SGBV in a particular location. While third parties have the right to lodge complaints of abuse on behalf of those in detention, monitors must nevertheless carefully consider the status of the detainees’/ prisoners’ consent to any follow-up action, including in relation to their personal safety. When determining who to include in the monitoring, monitors should ensure a good gender balance and make efforts to include as broad a range of participants as possible. In all cases, the methods of gathering information from detainees/prisoners and other victims of abuse should be approached with care and sensitivity. Monitors need to gain the trust and confidence of participants and provide them with reassurances that their identity and the information they provide will remain fully confidential, unless the interviewee has given their informed consent for monitors to take follow-up action. 6.6 Information from Authorities In the course of meetings with managers, policymakers and other public officials, such as government ministry/agency staff, monitors should take the opportunity to raise the issue of SGBV. This might be useful in assessing their attitudes towards such abuse, their understanding of the issue and their knowledge of how SGBV is regulated by law, policies and procedures. Where possible, monitors should also seek to meet with staff who are directly involved in the supervision of detainees/prisoners, in order to assess their awareness of SGBV, their knowledge of applicable regulations and their views on the extent of the problem. As with all other monitoring, interviews with staff should include a gender balance and a representative sample of staff members. Monitors might also wish to consider interviewing former staff members, as they may be more willing to disclose information when they are no longer in active service. 32