types of violations, it is important to reiterate that special care is required given the likelihood of trauma with both victims and witnesses. Moreover, as was also noted in Section 3.3.2, bear in mind that unofficial investigators should refrain from collecting samples of organic forensic material. Documenting sexual and gender-based violence is of particular difficulty. Often, constructing an accurate record of alleged sexual and gender-based violence depends heavily on accounts of victims and witnesses since often little other evidence is available. However, talking about these types of experiences is often extremely difficult for victims and witnesses. Therefore, even in well-resourced and stable situations, sexual and genderbased violence is often underreported.151 Civil society actors like health service providers, social workers, and humanitarian/human rights workers may contribute to the collection and securing of information on sexual and gender-based violence during the ordinary course of their activities in the field or on specific missions, but it is important to reiterate that this should be done by those with professional training on these matters, if in any way possible.152 Accounts can be collected through semi-structured interviews, site visits, and observation of the environment. 153 The composition of the team is particularly important for documenting sexual and gender-based violence. A well-composed team can positively influence the readiness of the victim/witness to share their experiences. Practice shows that victims/witnesses are more likely to open up to people of the same gender, age, and nationality. 154 However, this 151 Inter-Agency Standing Committee, GUIDELINES FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS IN HUMANITARIAN SETTINGS, 25 (2005), available at http://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/legacy_files/tfgender_GBVGuidelines2005.pdf. 152 Global Protection Cluster, HANDBOOK FOR COORDINATING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS IN HUMANITARIAN SETTINGS Annex 34 (2010) , available at http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/GBV_Handbook_Long_Version.pdf 153 Inter-Agency Standing Committee, GUIDELINES FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS IN HUMANITARIAN SETTINGS 26 (2005), available at http://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/legacy_files/tfgender_GBVGuidelines2005.pdf. 154 Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Prosecution of Sexual Violence: Best Practices Manual for the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Violence Crimes in PostConflict Regions: Lessons Learned from the Office of the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, 37 (2014), available at http://www.unictr.org/sites/unictr.org/files/publications/ICTR-Prosecution-of-Sexual-Violence.pdf. 108