Across societies around the world, protectionism and welfare are instinctive approaches to engaging with victims of violence. Abuse against a person instantly triggers sympathy and protectionism in others, triggering behaviour that encourages protecting the victim from further violence and abuse. Sometimes, it also leads to these people taking on the oppressors on behalf of the victim and also helping victims recover from injuries and rehabilitate themselves. This behaviour of protectionism discounts the victim’s agency that might also have their inner resources, powers, desires and aspirations. The State and civil society organisations inadvertently invalidate their choice-making in their recovery and rehabilitation, deciding on their behalf what is appropriate and inappropriate for them. 

Sanjog believes that people become victims of exploitation and oppression because of their vulnerable circumstances and neglect. Victimhood is often self-perpetuating wherein people who have been victims of violence and exploitation also find it difficult to restore their power, agency and confidence and drive their journeys of self-actualisation. Leadership Next seeks to reverse this through Leadership Next. It is based on the principles of social group theories and focuses on both individual and collective leadership development. While the purpose and long-term objectives and identities of the groups may emerge differently for each group, Sanjog’s aim from this programme is to build pedagogy on Leadership Development with people and groups who have been victims of violence and exploitation.