Transcript GBV in Humanitarian Settings

Maha Muna
Gender Advisor, UNFPA
March 2012
PSEA is a MUST!
 Save the Children report “No one to
turn to” (From May 2008)


It was a sampling of beneficiaries in 3 countries: Cote d’Ivoire,
Southern Sudan and Haiti
2/3 of persons surveyed recalled incidents of SEA
 HAP report “To complain or not to complain”
(From June 2008)
Scenario 1
A father approaches John, an NGO
worker, and offers his 16 year daughter
to him. John replies that she is too
young. The father tells him that in that
country, the age of consent is 16, so it is
legal. John asks you if he is allowed to
engage in sexual relations with people
under the age of 18 if the local age of
consent is younger. How would you
reply?
Response
 -The answer to John’s question is no. UN staff and
related personnel and related personnel are never
permitted to engage in sexual relations with anyone
under 18, regardless of the age of consent locally or in
the staff member’s home country.
 -Furthermore, even if she were 18 or older, the fact that
she is being offered by another person would raise
serious concern that she is being sexual exploited or
abused.
Scenario 2
 You are serving in an OCHA field office. You meet an
attractive man who lives in a refugee camp nearby. You
meet with him a few times, giving him rides to and
from a local market, buying him food and drinks while
you are out walking together. As you are not directly
involved in assisting him as a beneficiary and you
genuinely like him, you think that it is permissible to
have a sexual relationship with him. Is this correct?
Response
 Not all people who commit SEA have questionable
intentions. Some are good people who are simply
interested in entering into a relationship with someone.
Even where we have the best intentions, we need to think
through the reason for entering into a relationship and
what the consequences might be for the other person, both
immediately and down the road, such as after we leave the
country.
 Are there unequal power dynamics
 Would there would be an exchange of goods for sexual
relations – i.e. is he interested in you for you or for the
transportation and food you buy him?
Sexual Harassment vs SEA
Sexual harassment: any unwanted sexual
advance, request for sexual favour, verbal or physical
conduct of a sexual nature
 Takes place in the workplace between UN personnel
 For further info: ST/SGB/2008/5, (UNFPA take the
mandatory on-line course!)
Definitions
 What is sexual exploitation?
 Sexual exploitation is any actual or attempted abuse of a position
of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes,
including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or
politically from the sexual exploitation of another.
 What is sexual abuse?
 Sexual abuse is the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a
sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive
conditions.
Definition – broken out…
 Sexual Exploitation: actual or attempted abuse of a position of:
 vulnerability
 differential power; or
 trust
for sexual purposes,
 including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily,
socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of
another.

 Sexual Abuse: actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature,
whether:
 by force
 under unequal conditions or
 under coercive conditions.
Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual
Exploitation and Abuse (IASC)
1. Sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian workers
constitute acts of gross misconduct and are therefore grounds for
termination of employment.
2. Sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18)
is prohibited regardless of the age of majority or age of consent
locally. Mistaken belief regarding the age of a child is not a
defence.
3. Exchange of money, employment, goods, or services for sex,
including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating,
degrading or exploitative behaviour is prohibited. This
includes exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries.
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Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual
Exploitation and Abuse (IASC) - continued
4. Sexual relationships between humanitarian workers and beneficiaries are
strongly discouraged since they are based on inherently unequal power
dynamics. Such relationships undermine the credibility and integrity of
humanitarian aid work.
5. Where a humanitarian worker develops concerns or suspicions regarding
sexual abuse or exploitation by a fellow worker, whether in the same agency
or not, he or she must report such concerns via established agency reporting
mechanisms.
6. Humanitarian workers are obliged to create and maintain an
environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes
the implementation of their code of conduct. Managers at all levels have
particular responsibilities to support and develop systems which maintain
this environment.
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Addressing PSEA in Humanitarian
Settings
RESOURCES AVAILABLE:
Impact Measurement and Accountability
in Emergencies - The Good Enough Guide
http://www.un.org/en/pseataskforce/tools.shtml
Reporting: You are Protected
 Confidentiality – system of reporting is key
 Retaliation against a staff member because he/she
made a good faith report of SEA is prohibited by
another SGB, referred to as the “whistle blower
SGB.”
 Fraudulent allegations that you know are false are
misconduct and not protected.