The non-governmental organization (NGO) sector has made progress in preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH). However, as the COVID-19…
The Central African Republic (CAR) “is now the most dangerous place for humanitarian work” – Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace…
Safeguarding, defined as exploitation and abuse committed by humanitarian aid workers on beneficiaries, is a complex and sensitive topic, which can be challenging to communicate. PSEA, or protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, is a type of safeguarding and is often referred to in humanitarian aid settings. Communicating rights and reporting to children carries additional significant challenges. Children are more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse than adults, due to their lower levels of agency and language to describe the types of behaviours that they are experiencing. Children are less able to speak against those in positions of power, and may be persuaded to keep inappropriate actions a secret or be more easily subjected to threats and intimidation against their loved ones. Traditional approaches to reporting mechanisms within the sector – hotlines, online platforms, and complaint boxes – may not work for children who are less likely to have access to the technology, locations, and writing skills to voice their experiences. Ensuring that we prevent and create safe spaces for children to report takes additional steps, tailored approaches, and innovation. This project aims to be the start of building a library of materials that are specifically directed to safeguarding of children.
InterAction developed several tools and resources to establish a sustainable policy framework and staff capacity to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse at all levels of an organization. The training guides, resources and handouts are available for download.
This document from EISF provides organization with guidelines on how to address sexual violence against aid workers. This document will be the most useful for organizations that are looking for a brief introduction to steps that they can take to protect their aid workers from SEAH.
In the current moment, when it seems that everything, including tasks as simple as washing your hands or wearing a…
