IASC PLAN FOR ACCELERATINGPROTECTION FROM SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE(PSEA) IN HUMANITARIANRESPONSE AT COUNTRY-LEVELENDORSED BY IASC PRINCIPALS ON 3 DECEMBER 2018

© UNICEF/UNI99609/SIDDIQUE

This scale-up plan for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse(PSEA) is based on the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Championship Strategy
on PSEA and Sexual Harassment and its PSEA commitments. The scale-up
plan presents a call for collective action and investment by IASC members in all
countries with Humanitarian Response Plans or Refugee Response Plans.1 The planseeks to achieve three key outcomes for PSEA: 1) safe and accessible reporting, 2)
quality assistance for the survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), and 3)
enhanced accountability, including investigations. To deliver these outcomes, theplan proposes an enhanced PSEA structure at country level that builds on existing
good practice in the field and contributes to a broader accountability strategy.

© UNICEF/UN0203503/NAKIBUUKAThe product of extensive IASC technical consultations, the plan was unanimously
endorsed by IASC Principals on 3 December 2018. Humanitarian Country Teams(HCTs) subsequently carried out a gap analysis to inform IASC members ofcurrent needs for effective implementation of PSEA interventions at country-level.

P

1. INTRODUCTION

rotection from sexual exploitation and abuse andsexual harassment are core commitments of the
IASC. Since 2002, the IASC has taken multiple
measures to advance its PSEA agenda:
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2

2002: The IASC adopted Six Principles on PSEA,
which must be incorporated into agency codes ofconduct 2 setting clear standards for humanitarian
workers, and a plan of action on PSEA. 3
2010: The IASC conducted a Global Review on
PSEA by United Nations (UN), non-governmentalorganization (NGO), International Organization for
Migration (IOM) and International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) personnel
that found gaps in how PSEA was prioritized andcalled for joint commitments and the pooling ofresources to deliver on them. 4
nn

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2011: To support these efforts, an IASC Champion
on PSEA was appointed to push for stronger
PSEA policies and efforts within, and between,
humanitarian agencies.
2012: The IASC Task Team on Accountability to

IASC PL A N FOR ACCELER ATING PROTECTION FROM SE XUA L E XPLOITATION A ND A BUSE (P SE A) IN HUM A NITA RIA N RESPONSE AT COUNTRY-LE V EL

Affected Populations (AAP)/PSEA, now integrated
into IASC Results Group 2 on Accountability
and Inclusion, was established in 2012 toprovide PSEA technical support to humanitarianagencies, in accordance with the Global Review
recommendations. That same year, IASC members
developed Minimum Operating Standards on PSEA(IASC MOS-PSEA) to support agencies’ efforts toinstitutionalize PSEA at all levels.5
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2015: The IASC further affirmed the roles of PSEA
Senior Focal Points, Humanitarian Coordinators,
and Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs) in
implementing these commitments.
2017: The Terms of Reference for HCTs made PSEA
a mandatory responsibility that requires a collective
mechanism and approach.6

The plan focuses on achieving
three key outcomes on PSEA in theareas of:Present: At the technical level, the IASC ResultsGroup 2 (which integrates the former IASC AAP/
PSEA Task Team) will continue to provide a forum
for humanitarian agencies to address PSEA.
Initiatives to support PSEA action at country
level have included the roll out of simplified andtranslated principles and the development and rollout of Guidelines on Inter-Agency Community-BasedComplaint Mechanisms (CBCM) for PSEA.7

1) safe and accessible reporting,

The IASC’s work on PSEA is informed by, and is taking
place in tandem with, related actors, including the UN,
donors, and civil society organizations. In 2016, theUN appointed a Special Coordinator to strengthen aUN system-wide approach to PSEA. The UN SecretaryGeneral’s 2017 Strategy on PSEA prioritized greatertransparency in reporting, civil society engagement, andawareness raising, and led to the establishment of a UN
Victims’ Rights Advocate.8
When more allegations of SEA came to light in 2018, many
humanitarian agencies re-committed to more ambitious
reform within their respective agencies. The international
Safeguarding Summit, held in London in October 2018,
produced a series of sectoral commitments to bolster
action on PSEA, including within the donor community andthe UK NGO sector.9 The Summit followed an inquiry by the
UK International Development Committee, which found thatwhile the aid sector collectively has been aware of SEA by
its own personnel for years, “the attention that it has given
to the problem has not matched the challenge.”103

In May 2018, IASC Principals reaffirmed their commitment
to bolstering efforts on PSEA, and the United Nations Officefor the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
committed USD 1 million towards an Investigations Fundas part of these efforts.11 In September 2018, UNICEF’s
Executive Director Henrietta Fore, as the newly appointed
IASC Champion on PSEA and SH, took forward thesecommitments through a letter to IASC Principals12 thatlaid out key priorities for action, and allocated USD 11
million of internal UNICEF funding to scale up PSEA in 16
humanitarian responses.132) quality assistance for thesurvivors of sexual exploitation
and abuse (SEA), and
3) enhanced accountability,
including investigations.

A call for collective action
Collective, joined-up action is essential for the IASC toeffectively deliver on its PSEA commitments. Where evena single agency scales up action to strengthen PSEA at
country level, the interventions put in place – whether
it be a hotline, a women’s centre, or a medical facility –help the humanitarian community to go one step further
towards realizing their collective PSEA and broader
accountability commitments. Whenever possible, thisshould build on efforts at country level to strengthencollective approaches to accountability, particularlyaround complaints mechanisms.
The following plan is a call to action for IASC members to
dedicate the resources, expertise, and support necessary
to deliver on a core set of PSEA outcomes for children andadults across all humanitarian responses.

IASC PL A N FOR ACCELER ATING PROTECTION FROM SE XUA L E XPLOITATION A ND A BUSE (P SE A) IN HUM A NITA RIA N RESPONSE AT COUNTRY-LE V EL

© UNICEF/UN061994/VISHWA NATHA N

T

2. PLAN FOR ADVANCING PSEAAT COUNTRY-LEVEL

he IASC Champion on PSEA and SH supports
the vision of a humanitarian environment inwhich people affected by crises are safe andrespected, and can access the protection and assistancethey need without fear of exploitation or abuse by any
aid worker, and in which aid workers themselves upholdan environment that prevents SEA and where they aresupported, respected and empowered to deliver suchassistance and protection in a manner that is free from
SH.14 SEA and SH must not be tolerated; they are an
unacceptable breach of the fundamental rights of thepeople served by the humanitarian sector and of thoseworking within it, as well as a deep betrayal of its corevalues.15

2. Quality and accessible survivor assistance:
Improving quality, survivor-centered SEA assistanceand additional protection measures;
3. Accountability and investigations: Strengthened
vetting, reference-checking, investigation processes
and disciplinary measures, including prompt andrespectful investigations.
The plan focuses on achieving results for crisis-affected
populations in these three priority areas which operationalize
global-level commitments, such as the IASC MOS-PSEA and
AAP. It is an implementation plan for collective action by thehumanitarian community at country level.

The IASC’s PSEA and SH Championship Strategy sets out
three priorities through June 2020, reinforcing the priorities
in UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore’s letter to IASC
Principals. These are:Complementing global level efforts to strengthen theprevention of SEA, including new developments in screening
and vetting personnel and the roll out of global training,
the country-level scale-up plan includes actions that arenecessary for both prevention and response.

1. Safe and accessible child and gender-sensitive
reporting: Encouraging victims to come forward
by ensuring that safe, trusted and accessible
mechanisms for reporting SEA are available in all
humanitarian situations, and promotion of a “speakup” culture within IASC entities;

To support the delivery of results, structural changes
are proposed to clarify and further strengthen roles andresponsibilities for PSEA at country-level, including thoseof the Humanitarian Coordinators and HCTs.17 Section 3of this document provides a timeline and next steps for
implementation.

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PART A: PRIORITYRESULTS FOR PSEA
WHAT IS BEING ASKED OF IASC MEMBERS:
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nn

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The development of a country-level results framework
on PSEA that prioritizes the three outcomes below, led
by the Humanitarian Coordinator with the support of
the HCT.
IASC members at country-level contribute todelivering these collective results, through theirrespective field-level operations, SEA Steering
Committee (HCT members) and PSEA Networks.

OUTCOME 2: Quality and accessible
survivor assistanceEvery child and adult survivor is offered quality assistancein line with the survivor’s needs and wishes (such as
medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance,
reintegration support). 23
Proposed outputs include:nn

PSEA is integrated in Humanitarian Response Plans(and similar appeals) to contribute resources towards
PSEA outcomes.
nn

OUTCOME 1: Safe and accessible reporting
Every affected child and adult in humanitarian contexts
has access to safe 18 , child- and gender-sensitive
reporting mechanisms and pathways to report SEA,
through strengthening existing or new community-based
complaints mechanisms that have the same reach as
humanitarian assistance. Complaints mechanisms are tobe appropriate to the context, developed in consultation
with affected communities, particularly those mostvulnerable to SEA, and linked to services for survivors.19
Proposed outputs include:
nn

nn

nn

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5

Safe, accessible, child- and gender-sensitive
reporting mechanisms are in place for reporting
SEA in all areas where assistance is delivered,including high-risk areas. Complaint channels
build upon existing mechanisms, where present,
and aim to strengthen community-based reporting
mechanisms. 20
A SEA risk assessment and a contextualized
needs assessment inform the development of newcomplaints channels and the reinforcement ofexisting channels, designed in consultation with
communities as appropriate. 21
Training of humanitarian agencies (managers, staff,
contractors, partners, consultants, etc.) on PSEA,
including how to report allegations in a safe andconfidential manner.
Community consultation, mobilization and awarenessraising on PSEA in each community receiving
humanitarian assistance.22

nn

SEA survivor assistance is provided through ongoingprogrammes, including Gender-Based Violence(GBV) and Child Protection, and resourced throughthe Humanitarian Response Plan and other funding
mechanisms.
Support services include community-based andschool reintegration.
PSEA Networks have in place referral pathways for
SEA survivor assistance, as part of an integrated
approach with GBV services. 24

OUTCOME 3: Accountability

and investigations

Cases of SEA are investigated in a prompt, safe andrespectful way, consistent with the wishes and bestinterests of every child survivor.
Proposed outputs include: 25
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An IASC investigations fund is established fororganizations without standing capacity.
Clear standards and training on child- and gendersensitive, survivor-centered investigations aredeveloped and endorsed by IASC members.
IASC members track and report on the number andoutcome of investigations and support periodic
reviews to ensure cases are handled promptly andeffectively. 26

PSEA Country-Level Results Framework
These proposed outcomes form the basis for a countrylevel results framework (see Annex), based on global-levelcommitments, that effectively strengthen PSEA and enablehumanitarian actors to better respond when SEA occurs.
The country-level results framework is proposed as a global
template to be adapted to each specific context.

IASC PL A N FOR ACCELER ATING PROTECTION FROM SE XUA L E XPLOITATION A ND A BUSE (P SE A) IN HUM A NITA RIA N RESPONSE AT COUNTRY-LE V EL

PART B: UPDATED STRUCTURE
AT COUNTRY-LEVEL TO BETTERDELIVER RESULTS ON PSEA
WHAT IS BEING ASKED OF IASC MEMBERS:
nn

Ensure that in all humanitarian contexts a full-time
PSEA Coordinator in the Humanitarian Coordinator’s
office is established, dedicated to supporting
functioning inter-agency PSEA Networks.27

nn

Step forward to co-chair the PSEA Steering Committeeof the HCT/ United Nations Country Team (UNCT)
and the inter-agency PSEA Network, and actively
contribute to shared PSEA results.

nn

Deploy a dedicated PSEA Focal Point from each IASC
member/agency in every humanitarian response as
an active member of the PSEA Network to provide thetechnical support necessary at field level to deliver on
the three outcomes above.28

In order to deliver on the above priorities, the inter-agency
PSEA coordination structure under the auspices of the HCTs
should be strengthened, with clearly defined PSEA roles andresponsibilities at senior management and technical levels.29
The HCT, chaired by the Humanitarian Coordinator and withthe support of agency co-chairs, will serve the functionof an SEA Steering Committee, supported by a technicallevel PSEA Network, inclusive of all relevant partners.
The Humanitarian Coordinator will regularly (quarterly)
report to the Emergency Relief Coordinator – and throughthe Emergency Relief Coordinator to the IASC – on theeffectiveness of the PSEA Network and the actions taken toprevent and respond to SEA, including in the priority areas.
This structure is proposed as a model for strengthened
senior-level leadership and accountability on PSEA
for adaptation as appropriate to each country context.
Where a UN mission is in place, or where PSEA activities
are coordinated under the leadership of the Resident
Coordinator (RC) or a similar structure, for example, theproposed model would need to be adapted accordingly.
The coordination of these activities should include strong
collaboration with relevant actors, including AAP.

Proposed PSEA Structure at Country Level
In the proposed PSEA structure at country level (pictured
below), the existing HCT would serve as the senior-level
body holding the primary accountability, decision-making
and oversight authority for PSEA activities at country
level. In this capacity, the HCT would adopt an SEA
Steering Committee function for the inter-agency PSEA
Network, to provide direction, review progress, address
obstacles, engage relevant stakeholders, and provide theoverall support needed to effectively implement PSEA. The
Humanitarian Coordinator (and/or Resident Coordinator,
depending on the context), would be responsible for leading
the HCT (and/or UNCT) on PSEA and overseeing thetechnical-level PSEA activities; these would be supported
by a dedicated PSEA Coordinator who reports directly to
the Humanitarian Coordinator. The PSEA Coordinator is
responsible for providing the day-to-day oversight andsupport to the inter-agency PSEA Network.

Proposed PSEA Structure at Country Level
HCT/
Seniorlevel

Humanitarian Country Team/UN Country Team SEA Steering Committee
HUMANITARIAN/RESIDENT COORDINATOR AS CHAIR
Agency Co-Chairs

PSEA Coordinator/Adviser
Technical
levelInter-Agency PSEA Network
PSEA FOCAL POINTS FROM UN AGENCIES; NGOS; ETC.

Affected Communities
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IASC PL A N FOR ACCELER ATING PROTECTION FROM SE XUA L E XPLOITATION A ND A BUSE (P SE A) IN HUM A NITA RIA N RESPONSE AT COUNTRY-LE V EL

In some contexts, the proposed structure is alreadyin place, or is close to being fully in place. Some
Humanitarian Coordinators and Resident Coordinators haveproactively allocated funding for a PSEA Coordinator, anda PSEA Network is in place with functioning systems. In
other contexts, a technical-level PSEA Network may bein place, but without the oversight, proactive senior-levelsupport and resources necessary to deliver effective
systems. The proposed structure aims to systematize goodpractices in this area and address current gaps. 30

Based on the above, the HCT (and/or UNCT) would reporton PSEA to the Emergency Relief Coordinator through the
Humanitarian Coordinator, with global guidance and support
provided by IASC Results Group 2.
A collaborative review of this approach should take place toassess its effectiveness. The outcome of the review would
become the basis for recommendations for implementationin any new emergency response, as a standard approach for
the IASC going forward.

3. PROPOSED TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS
Actions to date

2

NOVEMBER

2018

NOVEMBER

2018

IASC PSEA/SHA Senior Focal Points
reviewed and discussed the draft plan at aface to face meeting 31.
Survey of IASC PSEA systems in 34 countries
circulated to Humanitarian Coordinators toprovide a baseline on current systems inplace and gaps.

The IASC-UN Chief Executives Board (CEB)
for Coordination Task Force on Addressing
NOVEMBER
Sexual Harassment in the Organizations of
2018
the UN System convened a meeting ofInvestigatory Bodies on Protection from Sexual Exploitation,
Abuse and Harassment to take forward the proposed IASC
Investigators Fund, and development of IASC childsensitive, survivor-centred investigation standards 32 .

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3

DECEMBER

2018

The IASC Principals endorsed the PSEA plan.

An IASC PSEA Country-Level Results
Framework (Annex), including a set of
JANUARY
2019
indicators and related processes formonitoring results, was developed based on
the priorities outlined above. The results of the IASC PSEA
systems mapping were circulated to IASC Principals, with a
gap analysis based on the priorities outlined in the plan.

Next steps
After an IASC PSEA/SH Senior Focal Points
meeting, IASC Principals, through their
MARCH
2019
designated PSEA/SH Senior Focal Points, willreport on how their agencies will fill gaps
identified in the mapping at the country level, to support theimplementation plan.

MAY

2019

The IASC Principals will review progress on
the implementation of the PSEA priorities atcountry-level and endorse a monitoring
system to track results.

Additional information and resources
IASC Task Team on Accountability to Affected Populations and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse(AAP/PSEA) https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/accountability-affected-populations-including-protectionsexual-exploitation-and-abuse
PSEA Taskforce www.pseataskforce.org/

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ENDNOTES
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As outlined in the Global Humanitarian Overview 2018 <https://interactive.unocha.
org/publication/globalhumanitarianoverview/>, accessed 15 March 2019
The six principles are: 1. SEA by humanitarian workers constitute acts of grossmisconduct and are therefore grounds for termination of employment. 2. Sexual
activity with children is prohibited regardless of the age of majority or age ofconsent 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. 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 SEA
by a fellow worker, whether in the same agency or not, he or she must reportsuch concerns via established agency reporting mechanisms. 6. Humanitarian
workers are obliged to create and maintain an environment which prevents SEA
and promotes the implementation of their code of conduct. Managers at all levels
have specific responsibilities to support and develop systems which maintain thisenvironment.
IASC Plan of Action and Core Principles of Codes of Conduct on Protection
from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in Humanitarian Crisis, 2002 <https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/focal-points/documents-public/iasc-planaction-and-core-principles-codes-conduct-protection-sexual>, accessed 15 March2019
Global Review of Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN, NGO, IOM
and IFRC Personnel, 2010 <https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/
legacy_files/PSEA%20Golbal%20Review%20Overview%20Publication%2015%20
Sept.pdf>, accessed 15 March 2019
MOS-PSEA <https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/3_minimum_
operating_standards_mos-psea.pdf> and see also Task Force on Protection
from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Work Plan for 2012 (Supporting agencies ininstitutionalizing minimum operating standards for PSEA within their respective
organization at HQ level) <https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/
legacy_files/26.%20PSEA%20Work%20Plan.pdf>, both accessed 15 March 2019
Standard Terms of Reference for Humanitarian Country Teams, 2017, <https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/hct_tors.pdf>, accessed 15 March
2019
Guideline Inter-Agency Community-Based Complaint Mechanisms
Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, 2016 <https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/best_practice_guide_inter_agency_community_based_complaint_mechanisms_1.pdf>
Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse: a new
approach, Report of the Secretary-General, 2017, A/71/818
Commitments made at the Safeguarding Summit 2018, UK Department forInternational Development, October 2018 <www.gov.uk/government/collections/safeguarding-summit-commitments>, accessed 15 March 2019
House of Commons International Development Committee Sexual exploitation
and abuse in the aid sector Eighth Report of Session 2017–19, <https://publications.
parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmintdev/840/840.pdf>, accessed 15 March2019
The On 31 May 2018, IASC Principals iterated their commitment to collectively
strengthen the humanitarian sector’s approach to preventing to SEA and sexual
harassment and abuse against aid workers. They agreed on measures tostrengthen the investigative capacity of agencies; share good practices on how
IASC agencies prevent, investigate and respond to SEA and sexual harassment;
and prevent perpetrators from moving through the sector (see Chair’s statementof 1 June 2018). The IASC established a US$1 million fund, managed by OCHA,
to provide rapid grants to IASC entities to support investigations into SEA and SH
allegations and to convene a meeting of the heads of their investigatory bodies
to discuss challenges, how to address gaps, and further strengthen investigative
capacities across the humanitarian sector.
Letter from Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF and the Champion
on SEA and SHA to the IASC Principals, 24 September 2018 https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/iasc-senior-focal-points-sexual-harassment-andabuse-aid-workers/documents/letter-henrietta-h-fore>, accessed 18 March 2019
UNICEF’s internal funding is dedicated to scaling up UNICEF’s work on PSEA
in 16 UNICEF country offices, as well as three regional offices. At present, theresources allocated will support UNICEF to enhance internal capacity to contributeto achieving the three priorities outlined in Part A below, as well as support tostrengthen inter-agency PSEA networks (outlined in Part B). The UNICEF country
offices that have received funding to scale up PSEA include: Bangladesh, Central
African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan,
Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic,
Yemen.
Strategy: Protection from and Response to SEA and Sexual Harassment - IASCChampionships on Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment, 1 November 2018,<https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/181101_iasc_champions_sea_sh_strategy_final.pdf>, accessed 18 March 2019
ibid

16

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18

19

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21

22

23

24
25

26

27

28
29

30
31

The IASC Championship Strategy was presented by Mark Lowcock, UnderSecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC)
to the IASC PSEA/SHA Senior Focal Points, on behalf of UNICEF and the Officeof the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as current andfuture Champions. The Strategy provides an overview of key priorities and a joint
vision for the IASC’s work on PSEA/SHA that the Championship role will support.
Countries and settings with Humanitarian Response Plans or Refugee Response
Plans will be prioritized. For updated information see OCHA Humanitarian Response<www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations>, accessed 18 March 2019
The PSEA safeguards necessary for a complaints channel include, forexample, protections of confidentiality, the option of anonymous reporting, andwhistleblowing protection, as well as established referral pathways to GBV andchild protection service providers.
This involves the strengthening of existing complaint channels, as needed,with the safeguards necessary for receiving and handling SEA allegations, aswell as the expansion or implementation of additional channels where there aregaps. The outcome aims to provide safe, accessible, confidential, gender andchild-sensitive pathways to report SEA to all members of affected communities.
This includes the utilization of existing and/or new community-based feedback/complaints mechanisms. The PSEA safeguards necessary for a complaint channel
include, for example, protections of confidentiality, the option of anonymous
reporting, and whistleblowing protection, as well as established referral pathways
to GBV/CP service providers. For more information, see the IASC Best Practice
Guide Inter-Agency Community-Based Complaints Mechanisms, 2016 <https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/accountability-affected-populations-includingprotection-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse/documents-50>, accessed 18 March 2019
In order for complaint channels to be accessible, the barriers to reporting thatmarginalized and vulnerable groups face must be taken into account, including
related to age, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, religion, ethnicity,
language and literacy level.
The types of mechanisms and targeted locations to be determined by each HCT
based on an assessment of the context and linked where possible to, including amapping of existing inter-agency feedback/complaints mechanisms. In instanceswhere such a mechanism does not exist, the HCT should consider establishingan inter-agency feedback mechanism which includes a thorough referral system
for SEA. This may include, for example existing, training of front-line staff,
existing phone hotlines, SMS, PSEA focal points, including a referral mechanism
to healthcare providers, and/or a combination of the above, as is culturally andlinguistically appropriate for the local context.
To be carried out as part of ongoing community engagement in humanitariancontexts. This could include the sharing of PSEA principles and codes of conduct(including what will be done in response to any complaint) in accessible formats(simplified texts, picture messages, audio recordings, graphics or videos) andlanguages affected people are known to understand; disseminated through thewidest possible range of appropriate channels to reach all affected people.
Assistance for survivors is guided by the UN Victim Assistance Protocol, GenderBased Violence and Child Protection standards, including case management
guidelines: Interagency Gender Based Violence Case Management Guidelines andTraining Package, 2017, <http://gbvaor.net/resources/interagency-gender-basedviolence-case-management-guidelines-training-package/> and Alliance for Child
Protection in Humanitarian Action, Training Course on the InterAgency Guidelines
for Case Management & Child Protection, 2018, <https://alliancecpha.org/en/onlinelearning-materials/cm-guidelines-101>, both accessed 18 March 2019
This would also include training on SEA survivor assistance, and referral pathways
for inter-agency complaints mechanisms more broadly, as per the country context.
The following outputs seek to reinforce the existing commitments in the2012 IASC MOS-PSEA, and to address current gaps. See Section 6: Effective
recruitment and performance management; Section 8: Internal complaints andinvestigation procedures in place.
In accordance with their respective reporting requirements, which can include togoverning or executive boards. For UN agencies/entities, this would include theexisting reporting requirements of SEA allegations on a quarterly basis to the UN
Secretary-General.
The PSEA Coordinator would be a full-time, dedicated position. This will ensure
full coverage across all contexts. This could involve IASC member(s) committing tosupporting this position in specific humanitarian contexts, as is the current practice,particularly where there are gaps.
The 2012 IASC MOS-PSEA includes a commitment to designate a PSEA Focal
Point. This further strengthens that commitment by extending it to field operations,so that IASC members actively contribute to PSEA results at field level.
See the IASC Global Standard Operating Procedures on Inter-Agency
Cooperation in Community-Based Complaint Mechanisms, 2016, <https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/accountability-affected-populations-includingprotection-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse/documents-51>, accessed 18 March 2019
An HCT mapping on PSEA is currently underway and will be used to identify
current gaps in PSEA systems across humanitarian contexts.
Final Minutes of the IASC Senior Focal Points Meeting, 2 November 2018<https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/iasc-senior-focal-points-sexualharassment-and-abuse-aid-workers/meetings/final-minute-iasc-senior>, accessed
18 March 2019xploitation, Abuse and Harassment, 26 November <https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/iasc-senior-focal-points-sexual-harassment-andabuse-aid-workers/news/final-summary-joint-iasc-and>, accessed 18 March 2019

IASC PL A N FOR ACCELER ATING PROTECTION FROM SE XUA L E XPLOITATION A ND A BUSE (P SE A) IN HUM A NITA RIA N RESPONSE AT COUNTRY-LE V EL