UNICEF's fight against sexual exploitation and abuse
Learn about our efforts to tackle sexual exploitation and abuse within the organization
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Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) is an unacceptable breach of fundamental human rights and a deep betrayal of UNICEF’s core values: care, respect, integrity, trust and accountability.
Definitions
SEA refers to all forms of inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature committed by United Nations (UN) personnel, including personnel of entities associated with the UN, against recipients of assistance and other members of local communities.
Sexual exploitation refers to any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, perpetrated by aid workers against the children and families we serve.
Sexual abuse is the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions, perpetrated by aid workers against the children and families we serve.
Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:
- Sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18), regardless of the age of majority or age of consent locally.
- Exchange of money, employment, goods, food, assistance or services for sex and sexual favours.
- Sexual activity with prostitutes, even when it is legal in the country.
- Using a child or adult to procure sex for others.
- Any sexual relationship between aid workers and beneficiaries that involves improper use of rank or position.
Zero-tolerance policy
In every context in which UNICEF operates, whether in emergency or non-emergency settings, people trust development and humanitarian workers to assist and protect them. The vast majority do so with professionalism and integrity. However, some aid workers abuse their position of power through the sexual exploitation and abuse of those who depend on them, including children. These acts are unacceptable and violate criminal laws.
No one should be harmed at the hands of our own personnel, partners or other associates. UNICEF prohibits sexual exploitation and abuse, applying the Secretary-General’s Bulletin on Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (ST/SGB/2003/13) and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Six Core Principles.
In 2019, we also launched the UNICEF Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment that sets out the vision, goals and values we are promoting – and the concrete actions we are taking – to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct, together with our partners and all UNICEF personnel.
Prevention and response
UNICEF continuously strives to better tackle sexual exploitation and abuse, and to improve the safety of the people we serve, especially in settings where the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse rises. Our goal will always be zero victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, but we know that sexual violence is ubiquitous. It is harder to address an unreported case than a reported case – so we take measures to protect those who report, to assist victims, to address the individual accountability of perpetrators, and to learn from our mistakes. While UNICEF protects confidential case details, we also strive to bring transparency to our work in tackling sexual exploitation and abuse, including the challenges we face.
UNICEF’s programming to protect children
UNICEF’s Child Protection programming helps prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse. We’re on the ground in more than 150 countries and territories, providing a first line of response for children at risk. UNICEF aims to provide timely assistance to every victim of sexual exploitation and abuse, including through safety and protection, medical care, psychosocial support, education, livelihood support and material assistance, as well as legal assistance and support for children born as a result of sexual exploitation and abuse.
UNICEF’s work with implementing partners
UNICEF works together with our implementing partners to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse in their operations. In line with the UN Protocol on Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Involving Implementing Partners, the UNICEF procedure on managing risks of sexual exploitation and abuse involving implementing partners requires that all civil-society-organization implementing partners are assessed on their capacity to tackle sexual exploitation and abuse and meet specific core standards.
UNICEF’s work on capacity development
UNICEF requires all personnel and partners to take courses on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. The online course, available at UNICEF’s learning site Agora, stresses the standards of conduct expected of all personnel and partners, the consequences of breaching them, and the impact of sexual exploitation and abuse on those affected and their families.
UNICEF’s work within the United Nations system
UNICEF actively participates in joint UN efforts to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse. Find more information on these efforts led by the UN Special Coordinator on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse here, and those led by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee here.
Report SEA
Should you become aware of credible information regarding an alleged incident of sexual exploitation or abuse, please report it directly or through the head of UNICEF’s office to UNICEF’s Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI). If you are uncertain about whether an alleged incident is considered sexual exploitation or abuse, or whether an alleged incident is related to UNICEF programmes or operations, always err on the side of reporting.
All UNICEF personnel have a duty to report alleged incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse and shall not be retaliated against for complying with this duty. Please refer to the UNICEF Policy on Whistle-blower Protection Against Retaliation and the United Nations Secretary-General’s bulletin, "United Nations system-wide application of ethics: separately administered organs and programmes" (ST/SGB/2007/11, dated 30 Nov 2007) and the related amendment (ST/SGB/2007/11/AMEND.1).
If you want to report wrongdoing, please contact the UNICEF OIAI:
By email: integrity1@unicef.org
By mail: All addressed mail should be marked "Private and Confidential" to:
Director - Office of Internal Audit and Investigation (OIAI) - Investigation Section
United Nations Children's Fund
Three United Nations Plaza
New York, New York - 10017 USA
If you are requesting protection against retaliation (whistle-blower protection), or if you need confidential advice and guidance on ethics-related matters connected to UNICEF, please contact the UNICEF Ethics Office:
By e-mail: ethics@unicef.org
By mail:
Director - Ethics Office
United Nations Children's Fund
Three United Nations Plaza
New York, New York - 10017 USA
If you have witnessed or found yourself in a situation of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), you can also report unacceptable sexual behavior by humanitarian workers via Ukrainian SEA reporting channel seareferral@un.org or call the hotlines 0-800-309-110, 0-800-30-77-11, 0-800-332-656.