PSEA and child safeguarding

1Sexual exploitation and abuse: what are we talking about?

Sexual exploitation is any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power or trust for sexual purposes (for example demanding sex in exchange for a ration or a job). Sexual abuse is the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under coercive conditions.

When the perpetrator is a humanitarian worker, it is a serious betrayal of the people we are meant to help. Organisations apply zero tolerance to such acts and have a duty to act when they are reported.

2The IASC six core principles

1. Sexual exploitation and abuse constitute acts of gross misconduct and are grounds for termination of employment.
2. Sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18) is prohibited regardless of the local age of majority or age of consent; mistaken belief regarding the age of a child is not a defence.
3. Exchange of money, employment, goods or services (including assistance that is due) for sexual favours is prohibited.
4. Sexual relationships between humanitarian staff and beneficiaries are strongly discouraged, since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics.
5. Any staff member who has suspicions or concerns must report them through the established mechanisms.
6. Humanitarian staff are obliged to create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and abuse; managers must support and develop systems that maintain this environment.

3Reporting and assisting

• Report through your organisation's official channels (PSEA focal point, dedicated hotline, confidential e-mail address) or through the inter-agency mechanism in the area. You do not need evidence: a suspicion held in good faith is enough.
• Do not investigate yourself, and do not confront the suspected person.
• Keep the information confidential; anyone who reports in good faith is protected against retaliation.
• The approach is victim-centred: the victim's safety, choices and access to assistance (health, psychosocial, legal) come first, even if the investigation has not yet concluded.
• Communities must know that assistance is free and how to complain: posters, meetings, phone numbers.

4Child safeguarding

Safeguarding (safeguarding) is the set of measures an organisation takes to ensure that its staff, programmes and partners do not cause harm to children (and vulnerable adults). Common rules in a code of conduct:

• Never be alone with a child out of sight of others; apply the two-adult rule whenever possible.
• No inappropriate physical contact, no humiliating language or punishment.
• No photos of children without parental consent, and no images that make it possible to identify or locate them in a sensitive context.
• No private contact (social media, phone) with child beneficiaries.
• Safer recruitment: reference checks, safeguarding questions at interview, signing of the code of conduct.