IASC Vision and Strategy:
Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse
and sexual harassment (PSEAH) 2022−2026

VISIONThe Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) supports a vision of a humanitarian environment in whichpeople caught up in crises feel safe, respected, and can access needed protection and assistancewithout fear of sexual exploitation or abuse (SEA) by any aid worker and in which aid workers
themselves feel supported, respected and empowered to deliver assistance free from sexual
harassment.

APPROACH
The IASC is the mandated global forum that facilitates coordination among humanitarian actors, bringing
together United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and non-governmentalorganizations. The IASC will support scaled-up, predictable and accountable protection from sexual
exploitation and abuse (PSEA) to amplify prevention and response at community level.
The IASC upholds a policy of zero tolerance of SEA and sexual harassment. The IASC recognizes that
PSEAH activities and investment may not lead to zero cases of SEA and sexual harassment, but IASC
members will demonstrate zero tolerance of inaction on PSEAH. The IASC will always exhibit respect for
victims/survivors, complainants, and whistle-blowers.
The IASC affirms that SEA and sexual harassment are driven by many of the same underlying causes,
including unequal power relations, lack of gender parity, disrespect and hierarchical organizational
structures. The IASC will drive and support change in organizational culture to address these issues.
Humanitarian Coordinators (HCs) and Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs) are committed to ensuring
protection from sexual exploitation and abuse1. The most senior representative of the UN at country
level holds the primary accountability, decision-making, and oversight authority.2 The HC provides theoverall direction, reviews progress, addresses barriers, engages stakeholders, and provides the supportand resources needed to implement PSEA effectively.3 These activities are supported by a dedicated
PSEA Coordinator, reporting directly to the HC.4

1 https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/humanitarian-leadership-strengthening-section/leadership-humanitarian-action-

handbook-un-resident-and-humanitarian-coordinator
2 https://unsdg.un.org/resources/management-and-accountability-framework-un-development-and-resident-coordinator-system
3 https://psea.interagencystandingcommittee.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/principals_statement_on_psea_2015.pdf
4 Where UNHCR is leading the refugee response: if there is no HC, UNHCR shall be accountable for coordinating PSEA; wherean HC is appointed, the UNHCR/ERC Joint Note on Mixed Situations Coordination (2014) applies and the PSEA coordinatorhas a shared reporting line to the HC and the UNHCR Country Representative.

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The IASC will monitor whether capacity is in place in all humanitarian responses to meet thesecommitments at country level, that models are adapted to context, prevention and response are inaccordance with agreed victim-centered approaches, and following investigation, leaders and managers
are provided with appropriate, timely information to support management decisions on accountability inaccordance with guidance provided5.
This multi-year Strategy articulates the IASC ambition and expected results. It sets out the change
required, reaffirms earlier commitments of the IASC, sets targets and determines how results will bemonitored and measured. From 2022, a SEA risk index will be available to the IASC to support it toidentify high-risk contexts and evidence-based decision-making. Enhanced monitoring will ensure thatHCs will have the information and evidence they need to fulfil their responsibilities at country level andwill make global prioritization more effective.
The IASC will drive change in organizational culture and attitudes. IASC Principals will clearly, andcontinuously, communicate their collective and individual commitments for increased accountability6.
Realising the IASC vision will be the responsibility of all levels of management within IASC member
organizations. All humanitarian actors will share responsibility for implementation of IASC PSEAH
commitments, particularly the personal responsibility of ‘speaking up’ when aware of any act of sexual
misconduct.
Securing and retaining the trust of affected people are critical to the safe delivery of humanitarianassistance. The IASC will listen to victims/survivors and affected communities and ensure theirexperience informs PSEAH priorities and will monitor feedback provided.
The IASC will dedicate resources to meet agreed strategic outcomes and commitments. IASC members
will deploy global level PSEA expertise, including from the PSEA Field Support Team7 to support interagency activities in prioritized high-risk contexts.

IASC PSEAH CHAMPION
The IASC PSEAH Champions set the tone for all entities, convening IASC and external stakeholders
around the shared vision and a cohesive multi-year approach to protection from sexual exploitation andabuse and sexual harassment. They promote long-term cultural and attitudinal change to all forms ofsexual misconduct, and bolster the implementation of IASC policies and commitments.

5 See Guidance Note: Requirements and procedures for all United Nations entities on information on allegations of sexual

exploitation and/or abuse related to United Nations staff and related personnel with the most senior United Nations official incountry, Nov 2021
6 https://tinyurl.com/58j6rtwt
7 https://psea.interagencystandingcommittee.org/psea-field-support-team

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STRATEGIC COMMITMENTS, TARGETS AND RESULTS
The embedding of sustainable and accountable PSEAH actions within all humanitarian contexts andtransformative culture change across the humanitarian sector will require significant effort, building on
what has already been achieved, and dedicated human and financial resources.

The prioritized strategic commitments for 2022 to 2026 are:Commitment 1

Commitment 3

Operationalization of a victim/survivorcentered approach including, but notlimited to:

Support country capacity prioritizing
identified high-risk contexts, ensuring that
PSEA capacity is a systematic part ofscale-up in response to crises.

1.1. Safe, accessible, appropriate
reporting
1.2. Quality support and assistance forvictims/survivors of sexual
exploitation and abuse (SEA) andsexual harassment
1.3. Enhanced accountability, including
through trauma-informed
investigations, vetting and reference
checking

3.1. Establish a mechanism to deploy
dedicated inter-agency PSEA
Coordinators to priority contexts.
3.2. Strengthen tracking of progress of
HCT PSEA Action Plans through the
IASC PSEA global dashboard.
3.3. Prioritize resourcing of PSEA at
country level and identify suitable
funding sources and modalities.
3.4. Ensure emerging crises have
immediate surge or scaled-up
support for PSEA activity.

Commitment 2
Promote lasting change in organizational
culture, behavior, and attitudes towards
all forms of sexual misconduct inhumanitarian organizations.

3.5. Develop an updated IASC PSEA
technical guide for inter-agency
PSEA coordinators and focal points,
based on the latest global guidance
and informed by best practices in thefield.

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COMMITMENT 1: OPERATIONALIZATION OF A VICTIM/SURVIVOR-CENTRED APPROACH
The IASC is committed to a victim-centered approach in all aspects of PSEAH activity.
The IASC will adopt a shared definition and understanding of the elements of a victimcentered approach and related responsibilities8. The 2022 IASC Champion for PSEAH
will lead a process to agree upon an inter-agency definition of VCA, its main principles,
and the entities and actions involved in implementation and resourcing at country level.
This will include agreement on application and support within different contexts,
processes for required changes to policies and approaches as a result of learning, an articulation of what
this means for partnerships, and consideration of the resourcing implications of a victim-centeredapproach.
The 2022 IASC PSEAH Champion will further clarify how an inter-agency victim-centered approach canbe operationalized and how identified barriers can be overcome. It will also support the establishment of
an IASC monitoring framework.This will include ensuring that quality and comprehensive inter-agency
multifunctional assistance and services for victims/ survivors of SEA is available and accessible, in linewith the UN strategy9. IASC members will ensure that appropriate, accessible, quality support andservices compliant with agreed interagency standards for sexual harassment survivors are available, inline with the principles agreed by the High Level Committee on Management in July 2021.10
Accountability mechanisms will be required to be victim-centered, provide for feedback to victims, andeffective protection mechanisms will need to be in place for those who have experienced or witnessedsexual misconduct.
As part of the IASC’s overall monitoring of acceleration of PSEA across humanitarian response,
implementation of the IASC VCA will be tracked on the IASC global dashboard. The IASC will carry out asemi-annual mapping of progress against IASC PSEA indicators. This reporting will be amplified bymonitoring including by the IASC PSEA Field Support teamThe IASC will seek to identify and address any constraints which affect members and/or theirimplementing partners and will aim to articulate and define the complementarity between a
victim/survivor-centered approach and human rights approaches and policies.

8 This will build upon the work of individual IASC members, including the 2020 UNHCR Policy on a Victim-Centred

Approach www.unhcr.org/victim-care.html
9

United Nations Comprehensive Strategy on Assistance and Support to Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
by United Nations Staff and Related Personnel (General Assembly, 2008)
digitallibrary.un.org/record/614563?ln=en and on
10 Advancing a Common Understanding of a Victim-centred Approach to Sexual Harassment within the
Organizations of the United Nations (HLCM, 2021) https://unsceb.org/victim-centred-approach-sexual-harassment-unitednations

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Time-bound targets
Q1 2023

A clear consensus on the application of the United Nations Protocol on the Provision ofAssistance to Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse within the IASC will be agreed
and in place. This will take account of the 2021 Technical Note on the Implementationof the UN Protocol. A mechanism for monitoring application and gathering examples ofcontextual challenges to compliance for consideration by the IASC will also be
developed.

Q1 2023

A consensus related to the application of the victim-centered approach to addressing
sexual harassment will be articulated as part of the IASC victim-centered approach,commitments, and shared minimum standards for addressing sexual harassment will
be agreed.

2024

The IASC will have evidence gathered through monitoring documentation and countrybased examples of the effectiveness of the agreed inter-agency victim-centred
approach, understand how risks and barriers are addressed in operationalizing theapproach, and know that course correction has been undertaken where required. The
capacity and funding required to support this approach will be articulated and clearlymonitored during the development of the VCA consensus to ensure predictability andsustainability.

2026

The IASC leadership will be provided evidence demonstrating that an IASC interagency victim-centred approach is embedded and followed in every humanitarian
response.

1.1. Safe, accessible, appropriate, reporting
The IASC has been committed to the principle and delivery of an inter-agency community-based
complaints mechanism since 2016. The current IASC approach, while adhering to agreed operational
principles, will be reassessed to determine how implementation gaps and barriers, resourcing
challenges, and contextualization can be addressed more effectively. The IASC will also consider how
good practices in the IASC’s joint SEA complaint handling approach at the country level can be
replicated.
This exercise will allow IASC members to determine how best to meet their collective commitment tojoint inter-agency community-based complaint mechanisms across diverse contexts, consider the costeffectiveness of the current model, and determine the budget and support required to operationalize thecurrent model in a range of contexts. Based on these findings, the current IASC approach and guidance
will be revised, updated, and disseminated at country level. The process will prioritize consultation withaffected communities, and include practitioners, management, and leadership. Consultations will also
consider resourcing, coherence with cluster/sector community engagement and mechanisms foraccountability to affected people, and sustainability.

5The IASC members are committed to removing barriers to reporting sexual harassment and recognizethat formal reports are not a prerequisite for management action. This will be addressed under thecommitment to cultural change, which will build on previous IASC Champions’ initiatives to encourage‘Speak up, speak out’ and will involve outlining commitments to joint standards.
Time-bound targets
Q1 2023

IASC members will complete an assessment to overcome barriers to the effective
implementation of an inter-agency CBCM in diverse humanitarian contexts and collectevidence of the systemic and individual implementation challenges. IASC members willarticulate steps to mitigate and manage operational challenges and propose how arevised approach to joint inter-agency community based complaint mechanism would
be more effective at country level. IASC commitments to define the victim/survivorcentered approach will be incorporated in the revised CBCM model and include aneffective global monitoring mechanism. The resources required to deliver a sustainable
CBCM will be articulated. Additional targets for 2024-26 will be agreed.

2026

HCTs will be able to demonstrate that a fully resourced joint inter-agency community
based complaint mechanism is in place and fulfils the IASC aims to provide affected
communities with means to report allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse in asafe and accessible way, enable affected communities to come forward in line with
their reporting preferences, standardize the means of referral of SEA allegations to theappropriate organization for investigation, and of victims/survivors to the appropriate
assistance and services.

1.2. Quality support and assistance for victims/survivors of SEA and sexual harassment11
Collective IASC adherence to the agreed victim/survivor-centered approach includes ensuring availability
and delivery of appropriate, safe, timely and accessible quality services for victims/survivors of SEA
through gender-based violence (GBV) and Child Protection services for survivors of all forms of GBV.
Sustaining these services is a shared responsibility amongst all IASC members. IASC members willdevelop a strategy to address the deficit of GBV and Child Protection services in high-risk contexts aspart of the operationalization of an IASC VCA. IASC members will adopt a coherent approach toprovision of GBV and Child Protection services.
Provision of services for victims of sexual harassment will be provided by the responsible individual IASC
member. Minimum standards for this will be agreed.

11 This Strategy will primarily use the term “victim”, while acknowledging that the term “survivor” is also appropriate andpreferred in certain contexts (for instance, in the context of responding to gender-based violence). While the two terms areinterchangeable, “victim” is often used in the legal and medical sectors, whereas “survivor” is generally preferred in thepsychosocial support sector to refer to a person who has experienced gender-based violence in its various forms as reference
documents state it implies resilience. “Victim” is in accordance with terminology used across the United Nations system.

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Time-bound targets
Q2 2022The IASC leadership will have agreed on a revised collective approach on support forassistance to victims/survivors. All IASC members will share agreed victim assistance
responsibilities, agree on targets for increased provision, and support GBV service
providers. Minimum standards for provision of services to victims of sexual harassment
will be upheld and monitored.

2024

The IASC global dashboard provides evidence that there is increased availability ofsafe, timely and accessible services for victims/survivors of SEAH and all GBV against
agreed indicators.

Q3 2022

Accelerated implementation of the UN Protocol on the Provision of Assistance toVictims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse with a focus on supporting 15 high risk
countries to implement the Protocol and technical note.

Q4 2023All HRP contexts supported to implement the UN VA Protocol, technical note andtraining package

1.3. Enhanced accountability, including investigations, vetting and reference checking
The IASC will support and enforce a comprehensive set of enhanced accountability mechanisms. The
focus is on additional and meaningful accountability actions and levers for change to be instituted overthis multi-year Strategy.
1.3.1. Investigations
IASC members have learned from SEA investigations and sexual harassment investigations over thelast decade. The operationalization of an IASC VCA (Commitment 1) will consider common standards tofurther improve and harmonize SEA investigations. The overarching purpose of harmonizing SEA
investigations is to encourage victims, affected people, and affected personnel to trust our accountability
processes. Consistent, harmonized approaches will be encouraged, recognizing the independence ofinvestigations12, as well as the different legal frameworks of individual IASC members13.
The commitment to a VCA approach will apply to both SEA and sexual harassment investigations, with arecognition that informal routes to resolution are available to victims of sexual harassment cases.
Informed by the strategic expertise of representatives of investigative services (UNRIS) and the CEB
Taskforce, the IASC will agree steps to ensure enhanced capacity, harmonization of standards andcollective accountability. The IASC will support its members to overcome constraints in delivering
efficient, effective, timely and transparent investigations.

12 The IASC has guidance on managing the provision of sharing data and information to senior management at country level.
13 https://psea.interagencystandingcommittee.org/resources/un-protocol-sea-allegations-involving-implementing-partners

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IASC leadership will mandate research and consultation, led by a senior panel drawn from investigatory
services and management, to consider whether the current standards governing investigations meet the
IASC VCA. The process will consider how joint or pooled investigation mechanisms could function, howduplication can be avoided, how harmonized standards and key performance indicators (KPIs) can be
agreed, and the level of supporting evidence required for managers to make accountability decisions
and, where required, implement disciplinary measures. As SEA investigations by IASC members areadministrative investigations, cases should be referred for criminal investigations in accordance withapplicable national laws where necessary and as appropriate.
The process will also consider efficiency and cost effectiveness and recommend appropriate operationalmodels. Proposals will be informed by analysis of investigations conducted over the past decade, trends,
numbers of cases and discussion of perceived obstacles based on anonymized and non-confidential
information provided by IASC members.
Time-bound targets
Q1 2023

IASC leadership consider the findings and recommendations of a Panel which has
been convened to determine how to (i) retain the independence of SEA and sexual
harassment investigations while (ii) reaffirming the responsibility of leadership toensure the effectiveness of organizations’ SEA investigations and to recommend new
harmonized standards and KPIs for SEA and sexual harassment investigations by
IASC members. The panel should propose a mechanism for system changes tosupport the operationalization of proposed approaches, and a strategy for risk
management of any pilots. The KPIs will be primarily driven by the IASC commitment
to a victim/survivor-centered approach and the Panel will work in alignment with the
IASC PSEAH Champion and individual members. An initial meeting to convene thePanel and to draft initial KPIs should be conducted in mid-2022.14

Q1 2025

IASC proposals to adjust the parameters governing investigations, such as the set-up,
structure and profile of investigative offices and procedures are followed up withrespective governance structures as considered appropriate by the member. Based onreports and evidence on the approach(s) piloted, consider recommendations forharmonized standards, course correction and feasibility.

Q4 2026

IASC members will be able to demonstrate significant progress in meeting KPIs which
speak to enhanced collective accountability.

1.3.2. Vetting and reference checking
Considerable progress has been made on vetting and reference checking. This will now be accelerated
through setting clear and monitored targets for enhanced participation and application of Clear Check

14 The research should be informed by work being undertaken in parallel on the implications of an IASC victim-centred approach

for all members and partners.

8and the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), and consideration of ways to promote vetting andreference checking at country level.
Time-bound targets
Q2 2022IASC members will meet agreed targets for their participation in the MDS and Clear
Check.

Q4 2022IASC members will meet agreed targets on their participation in the MDS and Clear
Check and will determine how to address the issue of vetting and checking thereferences of staff members who have moved between United Nations and non-United
Nations IASC member organizations.

Q4 2022400 organizations will be participating in the MDS.

Q4 2022IASC members will determine how to support improved vetting and reference checking
at country level.

Q1 2023

United Nations IASC member organizations will produce a report analyzing their use of
Clear Check and any lessons identified for consideration by the IASC15.

2023

Pilots on vetting and reference checking will be established at country level.

COMMITMENT 2: PROMOTE LASTING CHANGE IN ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE, BEHAVIOR
AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS ALL FORMS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCTThe IASC is committed to sustaining the direction set by previous PSEAH Champions
on altering the culture of the humanitarian sector and maintaining a spotlight on thepledge to prevent and respond to all forms of sexual misconduct, recognizing theinherent power differentials, including gender inequality, that enable SEA and sexual
harassment16.
As part of this recognition, the IASC will shift its mindset from expecting that PSEAH
activity and investment will lead to zero cases to aiming for creation of a culture of respect for
victims/survivors, complainants, and whistle-blowers and zero tolerance of inaction on SEA and sexual
harassment.

15 MDS already produces such reports.

16 https://tinyurl.com/3ffjhcz39The 2022 IASC PSEAH Champion17 and future Champions18 will further this agenda by adopting
priorities that lead to visible change around policy, wider management and leadership culture, internal
communication and organizational behavior including but not restricted to the following:• Cultural assumptions within the sector about abuse in humanitarian contexts, and how tolerance andinactivity of this relates to our values.
• How the sector recognizes that the power asymmetry between humanitarians and affected people is a
result of their respective positions and the bias that this may cause.
• How those in the sector talk about our knowledge of abuse and use the knowledge we have on abuse
to motivate change.
• How the sector perceives and expresses relative risks, and on whom they impact, as well as action
and inaction related to SEA and sexual harassment.
• The culture of silent bystander.
The IASC will agree common standards to be adopted by all members regarding workplace misconduct.
Leadership and management at country level will be provided with clear guidance from the IASC on
prevention and response to all forms of sexual misconduct in the workplace and while off duty. Where
required, additional support and training will be provided, including on management responsibilities on
performance appraisals, staff training, the provision of safe spaces and safer reporting, and redress
mechanisms.
Time-bound targets
Q3 2022

A collective baseline of perceptions of culture and acceptance by staff in IASC
agencies will be established, building upon already existing perception surveys
conducted by IASC member agencies where commonalities allow.

Q4 2022

Specific additional guidance for country-level leadership and management on theoperationalization of the IASC commitments on sexual harassment will be issued.

Q2 2023

Specific concrete actions to further change by IASC members will be agreed andinitiated.

Q2 2026

There will be a measurable positive shift from the 2022 baseline.

17 Mr. Andrew Morley, Chair SCHR (President and CEO World Vision International)
18 Recogising that the entire IASC continues to benefit from, and build upon, the leadership of past Champions: Ambassador

William Lacy Swing, the Director General of the IOM; Henrietta Fore, Executive Director UNICEF; Filippo Grandi, United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees, Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director UNFPA

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COMMITMENT 3: PROVIDE SUPPORT TO INTER-AGENCY PSEA COUNTRY STRUCTURES,
PRIORITIZING IDENTIFIED HIGH-RISK CONTEXTSThe IASC is committed to supporting inter-agency PSEA country structures, with priority
for high-risk contexts and ensuring that cooperation frameworks are in place with key
partners, including national partners. Dedicated support to Humanitarian Coordinators
will be strengthened through the IASC PSEA Field Support Team. This work willcontribute to organizational culture change in members, leading to stronger
commitments to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.

3.1. Establish a mechanism to deploy dedicated inter-agency PSEA Coordinators to priority
contexts
Progress has been made in establishing PSEA Networks and PSEA Coordinators at country level. The
IASC will ensure predictable and sustained capacity in identified high-risk contexts where HumanitarianCountry Teams face challenges in meeting their obligations. The IASC will work with donors to provide
predictable financial support to establish and maintain PSEA coordination capacity in high-risk contexts
to support change of practice and culture.
Time-bound targets
Q4 2022

A host has been identified for a PSEA Coordinator roster, and a proposal has beendeveloped and supported by the IASC. Predictable resourcing has been secured forcountries where the HCT cannot directly resource the inter-agency Coordinator andNetwork activity. Results monitoring has been agreed.

Q1 2023

PSEA Coordinators are deployed for a minimum two years to the top ten high risk
contexts identified by the SEA Risk Index.

Q4 2024

The effectiveness of the PSEA Coordinator and Network models has been monitored
and evidence of results is available.

3.2. Strengthen tracking of HCT PSEA Action Plans through the IASC PSEA global dashboard
Time-bound targets
Q2 2022

An SEA risk index will be available to the IASC to support decision-making.

Q1 2023

Monitoring the performance of the PSEA Coordinator roster will be harmonized with
IASC PSEA global dashboard data in a monitoring framework. This will be enhanced byinformation from IASC technical support missions.

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2025

Evidence of change resulting from the establishment of the PSEA Network model andthe presence of PSEA Coordinators is available. Indicators will include the number of
PSEA Coordinators deployed in high-risk contexts, longevity in post, embedding of interagency PSEA activity, and aggregated performance monitoring of PSEA Coordinators.

3.3. Prioritize resourcing of PSEA at country level and identify suitable funding sources andmodalities
Q3 2022

A mapping of needs and opportunities for resourcing PSEA to inform humanitarianleaders at country and global level how they can best meet their obligations to support
inter-agency PSEA models and activities will be undertaken.

Q4 2022

Agreement will be reached by the IASC on inclusion of inter-agency PSEA activities inhumanitarian and refugee response plans for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Achievement will be
tracked through monitoring in the global dashboard and other reporting.

3.4. Ensure emerging crises have immediate surge or scaled-up support for PSEA activity
Q4 2022IASC scale-up procedures revised to ensure that PSEA is implemented from the outset
of a response and is fully embedded through all phases of the response.

2023

PSEA will be implemented from the outset of a response and consistently supported byhumanitarian and refugee response plans and appeals.

3.5 Develop an updated IASC PSEA technical guidance for inter-agency PSEA coordinators andfocal points, based on the latest global guidance and informed by best practices in the field
Q2 2022

A consultation and review process prioritizing country-based knowledge and experience
are undertaken.

Q4 2022

The review and quality assurance of PSEA guidance and products is completed and thebest practice field guide is endorsed.

Q4 2022

Quality assurance procedures are agreed and endorsed including the protocol for how
new technical initiatives will be collectively prioritized and sequenced.

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