New Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Code of... · 2018. 10. 10. · 1 1. INTRODUCTION...
Transcript of New Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Code of... · 2018. 10. 10. · 1 1. INTRODUCTION...
PreventionofSexualExploitationandAbuse
RecommendationsfortheACFIDCodeofConduct
August2018
By:BelindaLucas&JoThomson
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................12. RESEARCHANDCONSULTATIONS...................................................................23. INTERNATIONALCONTEXT..............................................................................24. AUSTRALIANCONTEXT....................................................................................45. ISSUESDISCUSSEDDURINGCONSULTATIONS.................................................66. RATIONALEFORCHANGESTOTHECODE&QAF.............................................77. RECOMMENDEDCHANGESTOCODE&QAF..................................................128. ANNEX1:INTERNATIONALSTANDARDS........................................................189. ANNEX2:GOODPRACTICERESOURCES........................................................21
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1. INTRODUCTIONTheACFIDCodeofConductCommitteehasinitiatedareviewoftheACFIDCodeofConductstandardstoensureitsapproachtothepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseisrelevantandstrong.Thereviewwaspromptedbyaninternationalfocusoverthelastsixmonthsontheneedfortheglobalaidsectortodomoretopreventsexualexploitationandabuse.ReportsalleginginadequatereportingandhandlingofsexualmisconductbyhumanitarianNGOstaffduringthe2010-11HaitiearthquakeresponsewerereleasedintheUKmediainFebruary2018.Thiswasfollowedbysubsequentrevelationsacrosstheaidandhumanitariansectormorebroadlyregardingsexualmisconductwhichgaveadditionalweighttodocumentationandevidencedatingbackto2002.Inadditiontoissuesofcriminalityandtheprofoundnegativeimpactsonpeopleaffected,actsofsexualexploitationandabuseeithercarriedoutbyNGOstaffornotpreventedbyNGOs,reflectabreachofourvaluesbasedprinciplesandourcommitmenttosafeguarding,genderequality,donoharmandaccountability.Actsofexploitationandabuseareintrinsicallylinkedtoissuesofgenderinequalityandpowerdifferentialsanddisproportionatelyaffectwomenandgirls.TheinternationalandAustralianresponseinthemonthssinceFebruary2018hasbeenswiftandextensive.Aidpartnershaveundertakeninternalreviewsofpolicy,standards,andhistoricalincidentmanagement;andDFIDandDFAThaveundertakeninternalreviewsandsoughtassurancefromallNGOpartnersoftheirsafeguardingpracticesandreportedincidents.AParliamentaryInquirywasundertakenintheUKwiththeInternationalDevelopmentCommittee’s(UKIDC)reportbeingreleasedinlateJuly2018.ACFIDhascommissionedanIndependentReviewincooperationwithDFATandthisreviewofitsCodeofConduct.Thesectorhasnotsatidleinregardstopreventingsexualexploitationandabusesince2002.MuchefforthasbeenmadebytheUN,NGOs,governmentdonorsandNGOrepresentativebodiessuchasInternationalCouncilofVoluntaryAgencies(ICVA),InterActionandACFIDthroughresearchandreflectionandthedevelopmentofgoodpracticesandstandards.Nevertheless,itisclearfromrecentreportsandreviewsthatthesectorcontinuestofaceseriouschallengesinaddressingtheissueofsexualexploitationandabuse.Thesechallengesareparticularlyevidentinregardstoovercomingtheunderlyinggenderandpowerinequalities,achievingthenecessarychangestoleadershipandculturewithinorganisations,andtheneedtoaddressthefactorsthatpreventvictimsfromreportingsexualexploitationandabuse,suchasfearofretributionandlackofbenefitfromreporting.TheinternationalandAustralianresponseatasectorandindividualorganisationallevelmustbesignificantandeffective.However,itisimportanttounderstandthedifferentriskprofilesofhumanitariananddevelopmentcontextsandtheuniquedifferencesbetweentheAustralianandUKsectorstoensureawellinformedandnuancedresponse.Inparticular,thelong-standingadherencebyAustralianNGOstoACFID’sCodeofConductandDFAT’srigorousNGOaccreditationsystemandtheirsafeguarding,complaintshandlingandwhistleblowingrequirements.ACFIDanditsmembersarecommittedtofurtherimprovingtheirstandards,practiceandculturetopreventandrespondtosexualexploitationandabuseinoursector.
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2. RESEARCHANDCONSULTATIONSTheanalysisandrecommendationsoutlinedinthispaperhavebeeninformedbyanextensivereviewofinternationalliteratureandconsultationswithACFIDCommunitiesofPractice(COPs)andmembers.ResearchTheliteraturereviewedhasincludedallkeyreportsandarticlesfromreviewsandinvestigationsundertakensince2002,keyUNSpecialMeasures,standardsandcodesofconduct,andallkeygoodpracticestandards.Reportsofparticularnoteinclude:the2010InterAgencyStandingCommitteeGlobalReviewofProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbusebyUN,NGO,IOMandIFRCPersonnel;the2017UNSpecialMeasuresfortheProtectionfromSexualExploitationanAbuse–ANewApproachReport;the2018InternationalCouncilofVoluntaryAssociations(ICVA)TheLongRuntoProtectionAgainstSexualExploitationandAbuseReport;andthe2018UKInternationalDevelopmentCommitteeSexualExploitationandAbuseintheAidSectorReport.ThekeyreferencedocumentswhichareinformingstandardsandpracticesgloballyaretheCoreHumanitarianStandards(CHS)andtheInterAgencyStandingCommittee’s(IASC)MinimumOperatingStandardsforProtectionfromSexualexploitationandAbuse(MOS-PSEA).ThesestandardshavedirectlyinformedtherecommendationsforchangestotheCodeofConductoutlinedinthisreport.ConsultationsAConsultationDocumentwaspreparedbytheReviewTeamtoprovideACFIDCommunitiesofPractice(COPs)andmemberswithpreliminaryrecommendationsforrevisionstotheCodeofConductanditsQualityAssuranceFramework.ThesepreliminaryrecommendationswerereviewedbyCOPsandmembersanddiscussedthroughaseriesofteleconferencesandwebinarsinearlyAugust.Approximately20membersengagedintheteleconferencesinadditiontotherepresentativesfromtheHumanResources,ChildRights,GenderEquityandSexualRightsinDevelopmentCOPs.�ThediscussionswiththesectorandfeedbackfromACFIDmembershaveinformedtherecommendationspresentedinthispaperatSections8and9.TheproposedrevisionstotheCodeofConductandtheQualityAssuranceFrameworkwereconsideredbytheCodeofConductCommitteeinAugust2018andwillbeconsideredbythefullACFIDMembershipatACFID’sAnnualConferenceandAnnualGeneralMeetinginOctober2018.
3. INTERNATIONALCONTEXTSexualexploitationandabuseintheaidsectorwasbroughttotheforefrontofpublicattentionin2002followingallegationsofwidespreadsexualexploitationandabuseofrefugeeandinternallydisplacedwomenandchildrenbyhumanitarianworkersandpeacekeepersintheconflictareasofWestAfrica.Sincethattime,furtherreportsofsexualexploitationandabusebyaidworkersandpeacekeepershavecontinuedtoemerge.Mostrecently,thiswasintheformofmediareportsalleginginadequatereportingandhandlingofsexualmisconductbyhumanitarianNGOstaffduringthe2010-11Haitiearthquake
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response,andthensubsequentrevelationsacrosstheaidandhumanitariansectormorebroadlyregardingsexualmisconduct.FollowingthemostrecentallegationsinFebruary2018,therehasbeenagreatdealofscrutinyandanalysisoftheperformanceoftheglobalaidsector’sattentiontothepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseandthefindingshavebeendamning.TherecentlyreleasedUKIDCreport1into‘Sexualexploitationandabuseintheaidsector’foundthataidorganisationshavesystematicallyfailedtoprotectvulnerablepeoplewhoarereceivingaidfromexploitationandabuse;thatsexualexploitationandabuseisendemicacrossorganisations,countriesandinstitutions;andthattherehasbeenacollectivefailureofleadershipandengagementfromtoplevelsdownovermanyyears.Italsodrewattentiontotheseriousissueofsexualharassmentandabuseofaidworkers.Itmakesaseriesofexcellentrecommendationstoaddressthefailuresofthesector.Asalreadynoted,therearesomeimportantobservationsthatsitalongsidetheIDCreportandpreviousreportsonsexualexploitationandabusethatalsowarranthighlighting.Thefirstoftheseisthatthebulkofthereportsthathighlighttheissueofsexualexploitationandabuserelatetohumanitariansettings.Thereiswidespreadrecognitionthattheriskofsexualexploitationandabuseisheightenedinthosehumanitariancontextswherelocalpopulationsareattheirmostvulnerable,wherelocalpublicsafetyandlegalsystemsareineffectiveorwhollyabsentandwherelocalandexpatriatestaffingisrapidlymobilisedandoftenshortterm.Vulnerabilitiesandpowerdifferentialswhichincreasetheriskofharassment,exploitationandabusearepresentinallsettingsbutareincreasedinhumanitariansettings.Manyofthepreviousreportshavereflectedfindingsfromconflictsettingsandamixofmilitaryandcivilianpersonnel.Thesecondimportantobservationisthatthesectorlacksdataontheprevalenceofsexualexploitationandabuseinaidresponses.ThereisenoughevidencefromhumanitarianinquiriesandUNreportstotellusthatsexualexploitationandabuseisaseriousproblem,buttheresearchalsohighlightstheinadequacyofreportingculturesandsystemsthatwouldprovidedeeperinsightsintothenumberofincidents,typeofincidents,profileofperpetrators,andtheexperienceofvictims.Forexample,theUKIDCreportnotesthatmostreportedharassmentandabusecasesrelatetoaidworkersfromdonorcountries,butthatlittleisknownabouttheexperiencesoflocally-engagedaidworkers.Thislackofdatahasledtotheconflationofimportantdistinctions–forexample,‘aidworkersandpeacekeepers’areoftenreferredtointhesamecontext,and‘aidsector’isusedtorefertobothdevelopmentandhumanitariancontexts.Itisimportantthatthesectorworkstowardsmoreclarityinitsdiscussionofsexualexploitationandabuseandthe‘aidsector’toensurethatresponsesaretailoredappropriatelytothedifferentcontextsinwhichorganisationswork.Thethirdobservationisthatpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuserecommendationshavelargelybeengearedtowardsinternationalhumanitarianactors.Thisishighlyappropriate,butfurtherdiscourseisneededwhichinterrogatestheoperatingmodelsandapproachesofinternationalNGOs,whoworkinpartnershipthroughinternationalconsortiums,governmentagencies,andincreasingly,localcivilsocietyorganisations.LocalisationisoneofthecorecommitmentsoftheWorldHumanitarianSummitandtheGrandBargain.ThismeansthatwhileinternationalNGOswillstillplayamajorroleinpublicfundraisingforhumanitarianresponses,weshouldexpecttoseeanincreasein
1https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmintdev/840/840.pdf
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locally-ledhumanitarianresponses.Thisoperatingmodelneedstoinformthedesignofsafeguardingapproachesandthetypesofinvestmentsthatwillneedtobemadebyinternationalorganisationstoeffectivelysupportlocalpartnerstopreventsexualexploitationandabuse.Thefinalobservationisthatthereisanexistingbodyofspecialmeasures,resourcesandstandardsthathasbeendevelopedbytheinternationalhumanitariancommunityoverthelasttwodecadesrelatingtopreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.Specifically,theInterAgencyStandingCommittee’s(IASC)MinimumOperatingStandardsforProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuse(2012),whichprovidesguidanceandspecificindicatorsonhoworganisationscansetupinternalstructurestofulfilltheirpreventionofsexualexploitationandabusecommitments;andtheCoreHumanitarianStandard(CHS)(2016),whichistheglobalstandardforaccountabilitytopeopleaffectedbydisaster,conflictorpovertyandhasexplicitcommitmentsrelatingtoprotectionfromsexualharassment,exploitationandabuseofaffectedpopulationsandstaff.BothstandardsarereferredtoinmoredetailinSection7ofthisdocument,astheycontinuetoprovideausefulframeworkfororganisationsinestablishingappropriatesafeguards.ThereisalsoanexistingsuiteofpreventionofsexualexploitationandabusetrainingandtoolsdevelopedbyorganisationssuchasInterAction,ICVAandthemoreextensiveguidanceandworkofCHSAlliance,KeepingChildrenSafeandtheIASCTaskForceonProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuse.ThesegoodpracticeguidancetoolsarelistedatAnnex1ofthisreport.
4. AUSTRALIANCONTEXTAsnotedabove,muchofthecommentaryregardingsexualexploitationandabuseintheaidsectorhastakenabroadapproach,conflatingorgeneralisinganumberofimportantissuesandcontexts.ItisimportanttounderstandtheissuesastheyrelatetotheAustralianNGOcontextandtosituateAustralianNGOswithinthisbroaderinternationaldiscourse,bothtogainanuancedunderstandingofthechallengefacingAustralianNGOsandtoensureawellinformedandtailoredresponse.BroadreferencesarebeingmadetointernationalcharitiesorNGOsinvolvedinthedeliveryofaidasaglobal,homogenousgroupwheninrealitytheyrepresentNGOswhoworkinvastlydifferentoperatingenvironments,throughdifferentoperatingmodels,andwithdifferinglevelsofcontactwithprimarystakeholders.InAustralia,wehaveNGOswhoworkprimarilywithgovernmentorganisationsatapolicylevel;NGOswhoprovidefundingtolocalpartnerstosupportlocaldevelopmentinitiatives;NGOSwhohavefieldofficesstaffedbynationalstaffwhoareinvolvedindeliveringprogramslocally;NGOswhosendfundingtotheirinternationalheadquarterswhoprogramthesefundsthroughinternationalaffiliatesindevelopingcountries;andsomeNGOswhosendtheirownstaffoverseastodeliverprograms.ManyAustralianNGOs,particularlylargeragencies,workthroughtheirinternationalfederationsorsimilarstructures.ThisisparticularlyevidentinhumanitarianresponseswhereANGOstypicallyraisefundsonbehalfoftheirinternationalbodyortheentityintherelevantcountryandprovidefundsforhumanitarianassistancebutdonotprovidedirectprogrammingsupport.ExceptionstothistendtobeinthePacific,whereresponsesareofteninpostnaturaldisastersettingsandAustralianNGOsleadtheresponse.Thenatureofthesecontextsisdifferenttothehigherriskconflictorpostconflicthumanitariansettingsthathaveinformedmostofthereportsonsexualexploitationandabusetodate.ThissettingdoesnotameliorateAustralianNGOsfromtheirresponsibilitytoimprove
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safeguardingpractices,butratherhelpssituateAustralianNGOsinthebroaderinternationalaidlandscape.OneofthechallengestheinternationaloperatingmodelraisesforAustralianNGOsistheirdependenceoninternationalpartnerstopreventsexualexploitationandabuseinthosehigherriskhumanitariansettingswhereAustralianfundingisused,butwheretheAustralianNGOisnotcoordinatingorimplementingtheresponse.Itischallengingfortheinternationalheadoffice,andinturntheAustralianaffiliateNGO,toensureimplementationofallsafeguardingmeasures.Tocounterthishowever,someinternationalNGOsarerequiringatleastsomecorepoliciesandpracticessuchassafeguardingtobecentrallymandated.IthasalsobeencommonforAustralianNGOsto‘punchabovetheirweight’withininternationalfederationsorequivalent,oftenleadingonissuessuchaschildsafeguardinganddisabilityinclusion.AnothercontextualfactortonoteisthattheregulatoryandstandardsenvironmentinAustraliaforAustralianNGOsdeliveringaid,differssignificantlytothatoftheUKandmanyotherdonorcountries.NodefinitivesexualexploitationandabuseprevalencedataexistsintheinternationalaidsectororintheAustraliansectorforthepurposesofdirectcomparison,howeveritisreasonabletoexpectthatthecommitmenttoandcompliancewithlongstandingregulationsandstandardsinAustraliawhichencompassthefullsuiteofsafeguardingrequirements,hasfosteredrobustsafeguardingandaccountabilitypracticesamongstparticipatingAustralianNGOs.TheseregulationsandstandardsforAustraliandevelopmentandhumanitarianNGOsincludebothvoluntaryself-regulationthroughtheACFIDCodeofConductandexternallyimposed,thirdpartyverificationofhighstandardsofpracticethroughtheDFATNGOaccreditationprocess.ThecombinationoftheACFIDCodeofConductandDFATAccreditationisunparalleledinternationallyandprovidesanarchitecture,cultureandorganisationalreadinesstofurtherdevelopandimplementsafeguardingpolicies.All119ACFIDNGOmembersmustbecompliantwithitsCodeofConduct.57ofthosemembers,representing85%ofmembers’overallspend,arealsoaccreditedwithDFAT.Thisgroup,whichoverseesthemajorityofdevelopmentandhumanitarianspendbyANGOs,isthereforeregulatedandcommittedtotwowellalignedbutseparatelyrobust,regulatoryprocesses.Evidentthroughbothisanexplicitfocusonthesafeguardingofvulnerablepeople,withaparticularfocusonchildsafeguardingandallitsassociatedsafeguardingproceduresandrequirementsforastaffcodeofconductandcomplaintshandlingandwhistleblowingprocesses.Thisdegreeofregulationandqualityassuranceofsafeguardingandotherqualityandaccountabilitypracticesisuniqueinternationally.ACFIDandtheAustralianNGOsectortogetherwithDFAT(thenAusAID)drovetheearlyandexplicitfocusonsafeguardingofvulnerablegroups,inparticularchildrenandpeoplewithadisability.Thisresultedinastrongfocusonthesafeguardingofchildren(andothervulnerablegroups)inDFAT’sAustralianaidprogramandamongstAustralianNGOs.TheACFIDCodeofConductrequiresitsNGOmemberstoprotectthosewhoarevulnerableandthoseaffectedbymarginalisationandexclusion.TheCodeofConductandDFATAccreditationhasadditionalexplicitrequirementsforthesafeguardingofchildren.ThishasresultedinanAustralianAidprogramandAustralianNGOsectorwheresafeguardingpracticesarewellunderstood,socialisedandestablishedwithinorganisations.AsaresultofveryspecificpolicyandsystemsrequirementsoutlinedundertheACFIDCodeofConductandDFATaccreditation,theorganisationalpolicyandprocedurearchitectureis
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alreadywellestablishedinACFIDMemberorganisationstoidentify,respondto,andpreventtheriskofsexualexploitationandabuse.Themechanismsthatanorganisationsetsupforchildsafeguardingarelargelythesamemechanismsthatanorganisationneedstopreventsexualexploitationandabuse–leadership,policy,focalpoints,staffrecruitment,codesofconduct,complaintsprocesses,investigativeprocedures,victimassistance,cleargroundsforterminationduetomisconduct,andreportingprotocols.
5. ISSUESDISCUSSEDDURINGCONSULTATIONSConsultationswithACFIDmembersfoundhighlevelsofsupportforACFID’sinitiativetoundertakeareviewoftheCodeofConduct.ACFIDmembersrecognisethepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseasanimportantissuethatwarrantsastrongAustralianresponseandbuildsonexistingsafeguards.Arangeofissueswerediscussedthroughtheconsultationsandaresummarisedhereinordertofacilitatefurtherdialogue:1. Membersnotedthechallengesinchoosingterminologythatprovidesbestcoveragefor
sexualmisconduct.Therewasdiscussionabouttheuseoftheterms‘sexualexploitationandabuse’;‘sexualharassment’;‘sexualviolence’andothers;andtherisksofconflatingtheterms.Theterm‘sexualexploitationandabuse’hasbeenusedintheproposedchangestotheACFIDCodeofConductasthisiscurrentlythemostcommonlyusedterminologybeingusedinternationally.
2. Membersdiscussedthe‘holistic’approachthatisbeingtakentosafeguardingintheUK,whichencompasseschildprotection,preventionofsexualexploitationandabuse,andothervulnerabilities.ThisdifferstotheapproachinAustralia,wherechildprotectionhasbeenprioritisedasasafeguardingarea,anddisabilityhasbeenseenfromaninclusionperspective.Withthefocusonpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseasasafeguardingissue,thereisnowdiscussionaboutwhetherAustraliashouldmovetotakeamoreholisticapproachtosafeguarding.Somearguedthatthiswouldprovideamorecohesivepolicyframework,whileothersarguedthatthiswoulddilutetheimportantfocusonchildprotectionandtheneedforsharpenedfocusonpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.TheapproachtakenintheCodeofConductrecommendationsistomaintainchildprotectionasastand-alonecommitment,andintroduceanewcommitmentonpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.ItwillbeimportantthatACFIDMembersareprovidedwiththeflexibilitytoaddresstheseissuesholisticallywithintheirownorganisations.
3. Membersnotedtheimportanceoftakingaholisticapproachtomanagingstaff
behaviourinordertomosteffectivelypreventsexualexploitationandabuse.SomeofthelargerNGOshavestartedrevisingpoliciestocombineissuessuchasdiscrimination,bullying,harassment,andsexualexploitationandabuse.Membersalsodiscussedtheimportanceofdesigningcentralizedreportingsystemsthatcanaccommodatewhistleblowingreports,generalcomplaints,sensitivecomplaintssuchasthoserelatedtochildprotection,financialmisconduct,reportinglinkstoterrorism,andincidentreports.Therewasdiscussionthatcommunicatingmultiplepolicyreportingrequirementscanmakeitconfusingforstaff.TheCodecurrentlyhasreportingrequirementsreferencedindifferentsections,butMemberswouldliketoseeamorecoordinatedapproachtoreportingintheCode.Thereissoundrationalinthisapproach,butalsoconcernfromsomethatthismayfailtotakeintoaccounttheneedforspecializedpoliciesandinvestigativeproceduresforsensitiveissueslikechildprotection
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andsexualexploitationandabuse.ThisfallsbeyondthescopeofthisCodereview,butitanareathatperhapswarrantsconsiderationbytheCodeofConductCommittee.
4. Membersendorsedtheimportanceoftacklingsexualexploitationandabusefromagenderperspectiveandthatsexualexploitationandabuseareintrinsicallylinkedtopowerdifferentialsanddisproportionatelyaffectwomenandgirls.Therearesomeintractableissuesthatpreventionofsexualexploitationandabusepoliciesandstandardswillnotbeabletoaddressinisolationfrommuchdeeperworkongenderequalityandhumanrights.Itisessentialtofindwaysthatwomenandgirlscanconfidentiallyandsafelyreportsexualexploitationandabuse.Inresponsetothisdiscussion,additionalchangestotheCodeofConducthavebeenincludedthatincreasethefocusonpowerdynamicsandissuesofgenderequality.ChangestotheCodeofConductalsorequireprimarystakeholderinputintothedesignofcomplaintsmechanisms,toensurethattheyareappropriate.
5. Therewasdiscussionoftheconflationofthenotionof‘transactionalsex’with‘sexual
exploitationandabuse’.SomeACFIDMembersareconsciousthatsexworkisnotalwaysexploitativeandthereissomebroaderinternationaldiscussion,whichsuggeststhattransactionalsexisalegitimatelivelihoodstrategyinhumanitariancrises.2Thisechoesalongdebateamongfeministsonwhethersexworkisinherentlyexploitativeornot,althoughitisrecognisedthattheconditionsinahumanitariansettingarelikelytobemoreexploitative.Basedonthiscurrentdebate,therecommendationsintheCodeofConductarenotexplicitonthetopicoftransactionalsex,butplacetheonusonindividualmemberstodefinetheirownstaffcodesofconductandpreventionofsexualexploitationandabusepoliciesthatwillarticulatetheirownpositionsonthisissue.
6. ThereisinterestamongsomeACFIDMembersfora‘zerotolerance’approachtobe
explicitintheACFIDCodeofConduct.Thereareinherentchallengeswiththissuggestioninthecontextofsexualharassment,wherethereisabroadspectrumofharassmentexamplesthatmaynotallconstitutegrossmisconductorwarrantterminationofemployment.Itcouldbepossibleforthesectortotakea‘zerotolerance’approachtosexualexploitationandabuse,buttheissuesofconsensualsexwithbeneficiaries(includinglocalfieldstaffwhohaveexistingrelationships)ortransactionalsex,wouldneedtobeclearlyaddressedifthisapproachwastaken.
7. Therewasrecognitionthattheriskofsexualexploitationandabusecanbeconsideredfromtwoperspectives:sexualexploitationandabusebyNGOstaff;andsexualexploitationandabuseexperiencedbyprimarystakeholdersintheirbroaderenvironment–suchasabuseinresidentialcare,trafficking,orwomen-at-risk.TheCodeofConductseekstoaddressbothoftheseaspectsthroughitsexistingfocusonprotectionofvulnerablepeopleandtheproposedincreasedfocusonpoliciesandsystemstopreventandrespondtosexualexploitationandabuse.
6. RATIONALEFORCHANGESTOTHECODE&QAFTheproposedchangestotheACFIDCodeofConductprovidethefoundationforACFIDmemberstodemonstrateandfosterstrongleadershipandorganisationalculturesthatpreventanyformofsexualexploitationandabuse.Theyinclude:
2http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/internationaldevelopment/2017/10/27/emergency-sexwork-should-ngos-recognize-transactional-sex-as-livelihood-strategy/
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• developingaclearpolicyonsexualexploitationandabuse;• undertakinggoodcontextualanalysisusingagenderequalityandpowerdynamics
lens;• undertakingriskanalysisofvulnerabilities;• makingthestaffcodeofconductpublicallyavailable;• investinginrigorousrecruitmentprocessesthatvetcandidatesforprevious
misconduct;• trainingstaffregularlyoncodeofconductexpectationsandkeysafeguarding
policies,includingthecomplaintsandwhistleblowingpolicies;• ensuringcomplaintsmechanismsareappropriateandaccessibletolocalpeople;• actingswiftlyandresponsiblytoanyincidentorallegationusingavictim-centred
approach;and• reportingincidentsappropriately.
TherecommendationsmadeinthispaperreflecttheareasofpracticewhichhavebeenfoundtohavethegreatestimpactonpreventingsexualexploitationandabuseandrespondtothekeyissuesdrawnoutthroughtherecentUKIDCinquiry.TheyhavebeenmadewithparticularreferencetotheCHSandtheIASCMinimumOperatingStandardsforProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuse,bothofwhicharerecognisedgloballywithregardtopreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseinthehumanitariansectorforNGO,UNandnon-UNstaffandweredevelopedasaresultofacomprehensiveconsultationprocessamongsthumanitarianactors.
TherecommendedchangestotheACFIDCodeofConductfallbroadlyintothefollowingareasofpractice:
1. LeadershipandCulture:Whilethereareabroadrangeofpracticesthatareneededtodemonstrateleadershipandorganisationalculturethatpreventssexualexploitationandabuse,thereareseveralthatsetthefoundationsforthis.Thefirstismakinganorganisationalcommitmentthroughanexplicitpolicyposition,therebymakingastrongstatementtoallstakeholdersandtowhichtheorganisation,itsgoverningbodyanditspeoplecanbeheldaccountable.Itisacknowledgedthatmemberorganisationshavemanypoliciescompetingforstaffandpartnerattention,howeverithasbeenproventhroughthesector’sexperiencewithchildprotectionanddisabilityinclusion,thatgivinganissueprominenceandmandate,acceleratesimprovementsinleadership,cultureandpractice.Thesecondisappointingandinvestinginafocalpersonwhoisresponsiblefortheimplementationofapolicyonsexualexploitationandabuse.Itisacknowledgedthatthismaybeaburdenforsmallerorganisations,howeverdoingsoprovidesadditionalleadership,prominence,mandateandaccountability.Thethirdisensuringthatgoverningbodiesaremadefullyawareofanyseriousincidentsandareaccountableforensuringappropriateinvestigation,reportingandresponse(thisisexpandedonlaterinthissection).Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothesepracticesinclude:
• NewCommitment1.5
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• NewComplianceIndicator1.5.1• NewVerifiersforCI1.5.1• NewCommitment7.4.4• NewVerifiersforCI7.4.4.
2. StaffConductandAwareness:Thesecondareaofpracticeisensuringthatstaffclearlyunderstandthatanyformofsexualexploitationandabuseisunacceptablebehaviour,constitutesgrossmisconductandisthegroundsfortermination.Staffshouldbeawarethattheysharearesponsibilitytomaintainanenvironmentthatisfreeofexploitationandabuseandhaveanobligationtoreportanyabusethattheysuspectorwitness.Communicationoftheseexpectationsisbestachievedthroughvettingpotentialstaffforformermisconductthroughrecruitmentprocesses;clearlyarticulatingexpectedstaffbehavioursinastaffcodeofconductandassociatedHRpolicies;ensuringthatexpectedstaffbehavioursandresponsibilitiesarecommunicatedasanessentialpartofinductiontrainingforstaff;providingongoingrefreshertraininginpoliciesandproceduresthatdirectlyrelatetothestaffcodeofconduct;andclearlyestablishingthegroundsforterminationofemployment.Inclusionoftheorganisation’spreventionofsexualexploitationandabusepolicyandstaffcodeofconductontheorganisation’swebsiteisalsoanimportantmechanismforclearlyestablishingthecommitmentandtheexpectationsoftheorganisationtopreventingsexualexploitationandabuse.
TheACFIDCodeofConductcurrentlyrequiresitsMemberstohaveastaffcodeofconductinComplianceIndicator9.4.1,buttherequirementdoesnotspecifythatthestaffcodeofconductshouldincludereferencetosexualharassment,exploitationandabuse.
Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothisareaofpracticeinclude:
• RevisedVerifierforCI7.3.4• RevisedVerifiersforCI9.3.1• NewVerifiersforCI9.3.3• RevisedVerifierforCI9.4.1• NewVerifierforCI9.4.2.
3. AccountabilitytoPrimaryStakeholdersThethirdareaofpracticeisensuringthatprimarystakeholders,communities,andaffectedpopulationsclearlyunderstandtheexpectedbehavioursofstaffsothattheyknowthatitisunacceptabletobeaskedorrequiredtoprovidesexualactsinreturnforaccesstodevelopmentorhumanitarianassistance.Thisrequiresorganisationstoexplicitlycommunicateandpromotetheexpectedbehavioursoftheirstafftotheprimarystakeholdersandcommunitieswithwhomtheywork.Itisakintoensuringthatcommunitiesunderstandtheirrightsandprovidestheplatformforincreasedaccountabilitytocommunities.TherequirementofcommunicatingexpectedstaffbehaviourstocommunitiesisreflectedintheCHSandformsoneoftheIASCMinimumOperatingStandards-PSEA.Communitiesmustalsohaveanaccessible,genderandculturesensitive,andconfidentialmeansofreportingcomplaintsrelatedtoexploitationandabuse.Thisisbestachievedthroughorganisationsestablishingcommunitybasedcomplaintsmechanismsratherthanusinggenericcomplaintsmechanismsdesignedforthegeneralpublic,suchaslodgingacomplaintontheorganisation’swebsite.Aprimarystakeholderthatmaybeilliterate,withoutaccesstotheinternet,withoutexperienceofdealingwithlargeinstitutions,withconcernfortheirongoingaccesstohumanitarianassistanceorfearofretributionisunlikely
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tolodgeacomplaintunlessitishighlycontextualisedtotheirenvironmentandvulnerabilities.Thisplacestheonusondevelopmentandhumanitarianactorsthatareseriousaboutpreventingandrespondingtosexualexploitationandabusetodesignandimplementcomplaintsmechanismsincloseconsultationwithprimarystakeholders,andespeciallywithwomenandgirls.Itisacknowledgedthatachievingthisinallsettingsmaybechallenginghoweveritisalsowelldocumentedthatthisapproachcontributessignificantlytotheefficacyofcommunitybasedcomplaintsmechanisms34.Finally,complaintspolicieswillberequiredtoreflectacommitmenttoprovidingsupportforvictims.ThisreflectsamoralobligationonACFIDMemberstoensurethatavictimofsexualexploitationandabusehasadequateprotection,appropriateassistance,andreliablerecoursetojustice.Thiswillensurethatresponsestosexualexploitationandabusearenotdrivenbyanorganisationalreputationlens,butapeoplecentredlens.Therehasbeendiscussionofincludingthisrequirementasagoodpracticeverifier,butthefindingsfromtheUKIDCinquiryemphasisedtheimportanceofvictimassistanceasafundamentalcomponentofaneffectiveresponsemechanism.Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothisareaofpracticeinclude:
• NewverifierforCI7.3.4:• NewandrevisedverifiersforCI7.3.3.
4. WorkingwithPartnersACFIDmembersoftenworkwithandthroughinternationalandlocalpartnersoverseas,includinginhumanitarianresponses.ThisplacesachallengingbutcriticalobligationonACFIDmemberstoassesstheirpartners’capacitytoimplementsafeguardingandriskpoliciesincludingforchildprotectionandthepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.Inthespiritofdemonstratingorganizationalcommitmenttotheseissues,theCodewillalsorequireMemberstoincludeintheirpartneragreements,specificstatementsaboutchildprotection,preventionofsexualexploitationandabuseandseriousincidentreporting.Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothisareaofpracticeinclude:
• RevisedVerifierforCI5.1.2• RevisedVerifierforCI5.2.1.
5. IncidentreportingandInvestigationsManagementTheACFIDCodeofConductalreadyhasgoodcoverageoftherequirementfororganisationstohaveacomplaintspolicy,whistleblowingpolicyandchildprotectionincidentreportingprocedures.However,therecommendationtoincludeanewrequirementfordocumentedprotocolsforthereportingofseriousincidentsisintendedtoensurethatMemberselevateandrespondtoseriousincidentsinasystematicway.Itwillensurethatgoverningbodiesareawareofseriousincidentsandinapositiontotakeappropriateactiontoprotectbeneficiaries,theirorganisation,andthebroadersector.Thisprovidesgoverningbodieswiththeinformationtheyneedtotakeresponsibilityforleadershipandorganizationalcultureinregardstoimportantissueslikesexualexploitationandabuseandprovidegreaterassurancetothepublic,donors,andthecommunitiestheyworkwiththattheyarecommittedtopreventingsexualexploitationandabuseandaccountabilityinthisregard.
3Inter-AgencyStandingCommittee,Inter-AgencyPSEA-CBCMBestPracticeGuide(2016)4InternationalDevelopmentCommittee(2018).SexualExploitationintheAidSector.
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Thelackofappropriateproceduresforrespondingtoallegationsandincidentsonsensitiveissueslikesexualexploitationandabusehasbeenamajorsourceofcriticismbythemediaandauthorities.ThiswasthemajorconcernrelatedtothemostrecentallegationsagainstinternationalcharitiesintheirhandlingofsexualmisconductinhumanitariansettingsandhasbeenthesubjectofdeepdiscussioninAustraliaandgloballyinrelationtohandlingincidentsofsexualabuse.Assuch,recommendedchangestotheACFIDCodeofConductalsoincludeanewrequirementformemberstohaveestablishedinvestigationprocedures,includingforsensitiveandspecialisedinvestigationssuchasallegationsofsexualexploitationandabuse.Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothisareaofpracticeinclude:
• NewandRevisedVerifiersforCI7.3.3.• NewComplianceIndicator7.4.4• NewVerifierfornewCI7.4.4.
6.AddressingGenderandPowerDiscussioninthesectoraboutsexualexploitationandabusehashighlightedthatunequalgenderrelationslieattheheartofsexualexploitationandabuse,andthatthepotentialforthisbehaviourposesathreattowomenandvulnerablepeoplewherevertheyliveorwork.Assexualexploitationissubstantiallyaboutgenderinequalityandabuseofpower,thispromptsustoensurethatanydevelopmentorhumanitarianinitiativeisinformedbyananalysisofpowerdynamicsandissuesofgenderequality,andanassessmentofriskfromaprotectionandsafeguardingperspective,particularlyforhumanitariancontexts.Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothisareaofpracticeinclude:
• RevisedVerifiersforCI4.2.1• RevisedVerifiersforCI4.2.2.
TherecommendedchangesareoutlinedinthetablebelowusingtheexistingarchitectureoftheCodeofconductandtheQualityAssuranceFramework.PleasenoteinthetablethatexistingCommitments,ComplianceIndicatorsandVerifiersareinnormalfontwhilerecommendedchangesareboldandunderlined.
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7. RECOMMENDEDCHANGESTOCODE&QAFQualityPrinciples&Commitments ComplianceIndicators Verifiers
1.RIGHTS,PROTECTION&INCLUSION1.1 Werespectandprotecthumanrights.1.2 Werespectandrespondtotheneeds,
rightsandinclusionofthosewhoarevulnerableandthosewhoareaffectedbymarginalisationandexclusion.
1.3 Wesupportpeopleaffectedbycrisis.1.4 Weadvancethesafeguardingof
children.NewCommitment1.5 Weadvancethesafeguardingofthose
whoarevulnerabletosexualexploitationandabuse.
NewCI1.5.1fornewCommitment1.5:Membersdemonstratetheirorganisationalcommitmenttothepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.
NewVerifiersfornewCI1.5.1:• Apreventionofsexualexploitationandabusepolicythatdescribesthestandardofbehaviourfororganisation’sstaff,representativesandpartners,specificallyprohibitingsexualexploitationandabuse;andoutlineshowthepolicyisimplementedthroughouttheorganisation.
• Appointmentofapreventionofsexualexploitationandabusefocalperson.
2.PARTICIPATION,EMPOWERMENT&LOCALOWNERSHIP
Nochanges
3.SUSTAINABLECHANGE Nochanges
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4.QUALITYANDEFFECTIVENESS4.1 Wearticulateclearstrategicgoalsfor
ourwork.4.2 Weanalyseandunderstandthecontexts
inwhichwework.4.3 Weinvestinthequalityassessmentof
ourwork.4.4 Wereflecton,shareandapplyresults
andlessonswithstakeholders.
CurrentCI4.2.1Members’planningandpracticeareinformedbyanalysisofcontext,evidenceandresearch,andinclusionoftheperspectivesandknowledgeofprimarystakeholders.
RevisedVerifiersforCI4.2.1• Designorplanningframework,tools,templateswhichrequireorapproacheswhichconsistentlyshowcontextandstakeholderanalysis,includingtheconsiderationoftheperspectivesandknowledgeofprimarystakeholdersandanalysisofpowerdynamicsandissuesofgenderequality.
• Appraisal/selectionprocessthatrequiresdesignstoincludesystematicconsiderationofcontextandstakeholderanalysis,evidenceandresearch,andtheperspectivesandknowledgeofprimarystakeholdersincludinganalysisofpowerdynamicsandissuesofgenderequality.�
CurrentCI4.2.2Membersassessandmanageriskintheirdevelopmentandhumanitarianinitiatives.
RevisedVerifierforCI4.2.2• Ariskframework,riskmanagementplanorapproacheswhichassessandaddressrisksforinitiatives,includingfromaprotection/safeguardingperspective.
5.COLLABORATION5.1 Werespectandunderstandthosewith
whomwecollaborate.5.2 Wehaveasharedunderstandingof
respectivecontributions,expectations,responsibilitiesandaccountabilitiesofallparties.
5.3 Weinvestintheeffectivenessofourcollaborationsandpartnerships.
CurrentCI5.1.2:Membersundertakeduediligenceandcapacityassessmentsoforganisationswithwhomtheyworkinformalpartnerships.
RevisedVerifierforCI5.1.2:Adocumentedassessmentprocessthatincludes:• AlignmentwithMembers’valuesandobjectives.�• Governanceandlegalregistration.• Financialsystems�• Referencechecksofpartnersagainstprohibitedentitieslistings.• Capacityassessmentforimplementationofkeysafeguardingandriskpolicies(egchild
protectionandpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse).
CurrentCI5.2.1:Membersnegotiatesharedgoalsandrespectivecontributionswithpartnersandthosetheycollaboratewith.
RevisedVerifierforCI5.2.1:Forformalpartnerships,partnershipagreementtemplateorexamplesofpartnershipagreementsthatconsistentlydescribe:• Valueandcontributionofeachparty.�• Sharedgoals,rolesandresponsibilitiesofallparties.�• Financialandnon-financialresourcesandsupportofferedbyandrequired�ofeach
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party.• Disputeresolutionprocess.• Mutualaccountabilitiesforreporting,sharinginformationandcommunication.• Asharedcommitmenttochildprotection,thepreventionofsexualexploitationand
abuseandseriousincidentreporting.
6.COMMUNICATION Nochanges
7.GOVERNANCE7.1 Wearenot-for-profitandformedfora
definedpublicbenefit.7.2 Wemeetourlegalandcompliance
obligations.7.3 Weareaccountabletoourstakeholders.7.4 Wehaveresponsibleandindependent
governancemechanisms.
CurrentCI7.3.3:Membersenablestakeholderstomakecomplaintstotheorganisationinasafeandconfidentialmanner.
RevisedVerifierforCI7.3.3:Adocumentedcomplaints-handlingpolicythat:• Isreadilyaccessibleontheorganisation’swebsite.�• ProvidesasafeanddiscretepointofcontactforstakeholdersinAustraliaandcountries
whereworkisconducted,toraiseconcernsorcomplaintsabouttheorganisation.• Isresponsiveandfair.�• Providesinformationtoallstakeholders,includingtoMembersofthecommunities
whereactivitiesareimplemented,aboutthereportingandcomplaintsprocedure.• Providesinformationinaclearandeasilyunderstandablemannerinappropriateforms
andthroughappropriatemedia.• Ensuresthatrequirementsforfilingacomplainttakeintoconsiderationtheneedsof
themostvulnerableandconsidersminorityanddisadvantagedstakeholders.• Advisesacomplainantoftheabilitytomakeacomplaintregardinganallegedbreach
oftheCodetotheACFIDCodeofConductCommittee.• Providesinformationonhowstaffandvolunteersareequippedtounderstandand
implementthepolicy.• Includesaprocessforreviewingandanalysingcomplaintinformationwithinthe
organisation.• Primarystakeholderinputintothedesignofcomplaintsmechanisms• Outlinesatriagesystemforescalatingseriousincidentsincludingchildprotection
andsexualexploitationandabuse.• Outlinesareferralprocessforcomplaintsthatdonotfallwithinthescopeofthe
policy.(e.g.Complaintsthatdonotfallwithinthescopeofthepolicywouldinclude,for
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example,complaintsagainstanemployeeofanotherorganisationorgovernmentdepartment.)
• Commitstoprovidingassistancetovictims.(e.g.Providingassistancetovictimsmightincludecounselling,protection,medical,social,legalandfinancialassistance.)
NewVerifierforCI7.3.3:Adocumentedinvestigationoperatingprocedures,includingforsensitiveinvestigationssuchasallegationsofsexualexploitationandabuse.
CurrentCI7.3.4Membersmakeinformationabouttheirorganisationanditsworkavailabletoallstakeholders.
RevisedVerifierforCI7.3.4:Memberswillprovidethefollowinginformationontheirwebsite:• Informationonitsgovernance:structure,responsiblepersonsandorganisational
contactinformation�• ABN�• Informationontheirwork,includingkeyprojectsorprograms�• Informationonpartnersandtheirroles�• AstatementofcommitmenttoadherencetotheCode�• Thescopeforandmechanism/processforlodgingacomplaintagainstthe
organisation,andapointofcontact�• IdentificationoftheabilitytolodgeacomplaintallegingabreachoftheCodewiththe
ACFIDCodeofConductCommittee,andapointofcontact�• AnAnnualReportincludingtheACFID-Code-compliantfinancialstatementinlinewith
ACFIDrequirements(asoutlinedin8.3.1and8.3.2)• StaffCodeofConduct(orequivalent)• Keypoliciesrelevanttothepublicincludingbutnotlimitedto,privacy,complaints,
transparencynon-developmentactivity,childprotection,preventionofsexualexploitationandabuse,andconflictofinterest.�
NewverifierforCI7.3.4:• Informationisprovidedtocommunitiesontheexpectedbehaviourofthe
organisation’sstaffandlocalcomplaintsmechanismstobeusedifthese
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commitmentsarenotmet.
NewCI7.4.4:Membersgoverningbodyrespondsappropriatelytoseriousincidentsinaccordancewiththeirmandateandresponsibilities.
NewVerifierfornewCI7.4.4:• Documentedprotocolsforthereportingofseriousincidentstothegoverningbody.
8.RESOURCEMANAGEMENT Nochanges
9.PEOPLEANDCULTURE9.1 Wehavethehumanresourcecapacity
andcapabilitytodeliverourwork.9.2 Weprotect,valueandsupportour
people.9.3 Wemanageourpeopleeffectivelyand
fairly.9.4 Weenableourpeopletoconduct
themselvesprofessionallyandaccordingtoourstatedvalues.
CurrentCI9.3.1:Membersarefair,transparentandnon-discriminatoryintheirmanagementofstaffandvolunteers.
RevisedVerifierforCI9.3.1:Humanresourcepoliciesandprocedureswhichaddress:• Recruitmentandselection• Remunerationandbenefits• Equityanddiversity.• Stafflearninganddevelopment.• Performancemanagement• Familyandcarerleaveprovisions.• Conductintheworkplace.• Integrity(includingconfidentialityandconflictofinterest).• Grievanceanddisciplinaryprocedures.• Workplacehealthandsafety.• referencecheckingandvettingforformermisconductforallstaff,includinglocal
staffandsurgestaff.
CurrentCI9.3.3Membersmanagetheperformanceandgrievancesoftheirstaffandvolunteers
NewVerifiersforCI9.3.3:• PerformancemanagementprocessforstaffincludeadherencetotheirstaffcodeofconductandotherCodesandStandardsasrelevanttotheirroles.
• HRpoliciesclearlydefinewhatconstitutesstaffmisconductandoutlineconsequences
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inafairandtransparentmanner.
ofstaffmisconduct,includinggroundsforterminationofemployment.
CurrentCI9.4.1Membersspecifytheexpectationofprofessionalconductofallstaffandvolunteers.
RevisedVerifierforCI9.4.1:• Adocumentedcodeofconductthatspecifiesthevaluesandexpectationsofprofessionalconductofallstaffandvolunteers.Thismustincludereferencetochildsafeguardingbehaviours,preventionofsexualexploitationandabuse,anti-bullyingandsexualharassment;andanobligationonstafftoreportwrongdoing.
CurrentCI9.4.2Members’staffandvolunteersworkinaccordancewithagreedstandardsofpractice.
NewVerifierforCI9.4.2:• DocumentedevidenceofinductionandrefreshertrainingprovidedtoallstaffontheMembers’staffcodeofconductandkeypoliciesincludingchildprotection,preventionofsexualexploitationandabuse,complaintsandwhistleblowing,includingsurgestaff.
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8. ANNEX1:INTERNATIONALSTANDARDS
AsnotedintheIntroduction,thesectorhasnotsatidlesincereportsofsexualexploitation
andabusebegantoemergein2002.MuchefforthasbeenmadebytheUN,NGOs,
governmentdonorsandNGOrepresentativebodiesthroughresearchandreflectionandthe
developmentofstandardsandgoodpracticestopreventandprotectprimarybeneficiaries
andaidworkersfromsexualexploitationandabuse.Thefollowingcommentaryoutlinesthe
keyinitiativeswhichhaveoccurredsince2002andarecurrentlyguidingeffortstowards
preventingsexualexploitationandabuse.
Inter-AgencyStandingCommitteeTaskForceonProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuseTheInterAgencyStandingCommittee(IASC)TaskForceonProtectionfromSexual
ExploitationandAbuse(PSEA)inHumanitarianCrises,composedofanumberofUNand
non-governmententitieswasestablishedinMarch2002.TheIASCTaskForceadvisedthe
UNonspecificmeasures,developedagreeddefinitionsofsexualexploitationandsexual
abuse,providedguidelinesforinvestigationsandadoptedsixstandardsofbehaviourtobe
includedinUNandNGOcodesofconduct.
SincethistimetheIASChaspublishedanumberofkeystandardsdocumentsforusebyUN
andNGOpersonnel.TheIASCTaskForceonPSEAbyhumanitarianworkerswasestablished
inJanuary2012andtheIASCTaskForceonAccountabilitytoAffectedPopulationswas
createdinJuly2012.TheIASCMinimumOperatingStandards–PSEAwerepublishedin
January2012andarestillconsideredtheprincipalreferencedocumentinternationallyfor
standardsregardingpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.
TheIASCMinimumOperatingStandards–PSEAarebasedon:
• TheStatementofCommitmentonEliminatingSexualExploitationandAbusebyUN
andNon-UNPersonnel,August2008
• TheGlobalReviewofprotectionfromSexualExploitationandAbusebyUN,NGO,
IOMandIFRCPersonnel,July2010
• IASCSixCorePrinciplesRelatingtoSexualExploitationandAbuse,June2002.�
BuildingSaferOrganisationsInitiativeIn2004NGOentitiesscrutinisedtheirresponsestocomplaintsagainststaffandlaunchedan
initiativeknownas‘BuildingSaferOrganisations’(BSO).ThemainpurposeofBSOwasto
developthecapacityofNGOstoreceiveandinvestigateallegationsofsexualexploitation
andabusebroughtbypersonsofconcern.ThemainactivitiesofBSOweretodevelop
materialsanddelivertrainingoninvestigatingcasesofsexualexploitationandabuse.
BSOwasoriginallyhostedbytheICVA,butmovedtotheHumanitarianAccountability
Partnership(HAP)InternationalwhenitmergedwiththeorganisationPeopleinAidin2015.
TheneworganisationformedfromthismergerisknownastheCHSAlliance.
TheCoreHumanitarianStandardandtheCHSAllianceThe‘CoreHumanitarianStandardonQualityandAccountability’isavoluntarystandard
whichseekstoassuretheeffectivenessandimpactofassistancetopeopleandcommunities
vulnerabletoriskandaffectedbydisaster,conflictorpoverty.
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Protectionfromsexualharassment,exploitationandabuseofaffectedpopulationsandstaff
isdirectlyorindirectlyreferredtointheCHSinthefollowingcommitments:
• KeyAction3.6:identifyandactuponpotentialoractualunwantednegativeeffects
inatimelyandsystematicmanner,includingareasof...sexualexploitationand
abusebystaff.
• OrganisationalResponsibility5.6:Communitiesandpeopleaffectedbycrisisare
fullyawareoftheexpectedbehaviourofhumanitarianstaff,includingorganisational
commitmentsmadeonthepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.
• OrganisationalResponsibility8.7:codeofconductbeinplace,whichestablishes,at
aminimum,theobligationofstaffnottoexploit,abuseorotherwisediscriminate
againstpeople.
• OrganisationalResponsibility8.2:staffadheretothepoliciesthatarerelevantto
themandunderstandtheconsequencesofnotadheringtothem.
TheCHSAllianceistheguardianoftheCHS.Itisaglobalbodywithamembershipofmore
than240organisationswhoareheadquarteredin55capitalsandoperatinginmorethan
160countriesworldwide.
HumanitarianQualityAssuranceInitiativeInthewakeofthecurrentcrisis,organisationsandpolicy-makersalikehavecalledfor
independentmechanismsandcontrolbodiestoassurestakeholdersthathumanitarian
organisationshavethemechanismsinplacetoavoid,detect,remedyandcommunicate
casesofsexualharassment,exploitationandabuse.Oneoftheexistingmechanismswhichis
doingsoistheHumanitarianQualityAssuranceInitiative(HQAI),anindependent
organisationthatprovidesaverificationservicefororganisationsseekingtodemonstrate
theirapplicationoftheCHS.
InaccordancewithBSO,HAPandthenCHS,manyinternationalNGOsdevelopedpolicies
andsystemsthatreflectedtheircommitmenttothepreventionandresponsetosexual
harassmentandexploitationintheworkplace.Thisincludedcomplaintsmechanisms,staff
codesofconductthataddressedsexualharassmentandsexualexploitationandabuse,and
policiestopromoteaccountabilityofstafftowardsprogrammeparticipantcommunities
regardingharassmentandexploitationandabuse.17organisationsarecurrentlycertifiedas
fullymeetingtheCHSbyHQAI.
InterActionStandardsInterActionistheUSbasedallianceorganisationrepresenting180developmentand
humanitarianNGOs.InterActionmemberorganisationsmustbecompliantwith
InterAction’sPrivateVoluntaryOrganisation(PVO)Standards,whichexplicitlyaddresssexual
exploitationandabuse.Between2010to2013,InterActiondevelopedpreventionofsexual
exploitationabuserelatedtrainingcurriculaandofferedworkshops.Thishas
includedresourcestoassistInterActionmemberorganisationsindevelopingand
implementingpoliciestopreventandrespondtosexualexploitationandabuse,andthree
onlinelearningcoursesonsexualexploitationandabuse.
ACTAllianceACTAlliancemembers,togetherwiththeirpartners,supportorimplementhumanitarian,
developmentandadvocacyprogrammesinmorethan120countriesaroundtheworld.
ThemanagementofeveryACTmemberorganisationandtheACTSecretariathavea
responsibilitytoensurethatallstaffareawareofthisCodeofConduct,thatthey
understandwhatitmeansinconcretebehaviouraltermsandhowitappliestotheir
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programmecontext.DisseminationofthisCodeofConductissupportedbyACTguidance
andpolicydocuments,namely,theACTAllianceGuidelinesforthePreventionofSexual
ExploitationandAbuse,ACTChildSafeguardingPolicyandPolicyGuidanceDocumentand
theACTAllianceGuidelinesforComplaintsHandlingandInvestigations.TheCodeof
ConductappliestoalltheworkperformedbyallmembersoftheACTAllianceanddefines
requiredbehaviourofstaff.
TheACFIDCodeofConductTheACFIDCodeofConductandtheQualityAssuranceFrameworksetshighquality
standardsforACFIDmembers,whichaddressesbothdevelopmentandhumanitarianwork.
Italreadyhasgoodcoverageofhumanrights,accountabilityandsocialsafeguards,including
childprotection.However,theCodeofConductdoesnotcurrentlyincludespecific
statementsrelatedtothepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.Thisisanareain
whichtheACFIDCodeofConductcouldbemoreexplicitanditsgoodpracticeresources
strengthened.
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9. ANNEX2:GOODPRACTICERESOURCES
PreventionofSexualExploitationandAbuseTaskforceOnthissiteyoucanexplorethesubjectofprotectionfromsexualexploitationandabuseby
personneloftheUN,NGOsandotherinternationalorganisations.Thesiteincludesguidance
tohelpyoutoperformyourdutiesrelatedpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseas
staffmember,preventionofsexualexploitationandabusefocalpointorseniormanager.It
offersrelevanttoolsandresources,andithasahelpdesklink.
http://www.preventionofsexualexploitationandabusetaskforce.org/
CHS-AlliancepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseresourcesAllCHSAlliancemembersarerequiredtoreportontheimplementationandmonitoringof
theircodeofconductandtheirotherworkonpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.
Thesiteoffersadviceandguidanceonpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseaswellas
capacitybuildingandlearningopportunities.
https://www.chsalliance.org/what-we-do/preventionofsexualexploitationandabuse
IASCTaskTeamonAccountabilitytoAffectedPopulationsandProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuse(AAP/PSEA)TheIASCTaskTeamonAAPandPSEAhascollectedawiderangeofresourcesincluding
translationsofthepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseprinciplesinover50
languages.
IASC-TT-Resources
BuildingSaferOrganisations2007,Handbook;Trainingmaterialsonreceivingand
investigatingallegationsofabuseandexploitationbyhumanitarianworkers.ICVA
http://www.hapinternational.org/projects/complaints-handling/building-safer-
organizations.aspx
CARECanada(2016)PreventionofSexualExploitationandAbuse-2DayWorkshopManualhttp://gender.care2share.wikispaces.net/file/detail/preventionofsexualexploitationand
abuse-2%20day%20workshop%20manual-english.pdf
UnitedNationsOfficefortheCoordinationofHumanitarianAffairs.Protectionfromsexualexploitationandabuse.http://www.unocha.org/HumanitarianIssues/ProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuse/ta
bid/1204/Default.aspx
InterActionPreventionofSexualExploitationandAbuseToolsInterActionconvenesasexualexploitationandabuseWorkingGroup(WG)whichmeetsbi-
monthly.Italsohasaseriesofguidancetools,includingon-linetraining,tohelp
organizationsdevelopandimplementpoliciestopreventandrespondtosexualexploitation
andabuse.
https://www.interaction.org/work/sea