sgtm 5 d: prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse

SGTM 5 D: Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

SGTM 5 D: Prevention of Sexual Exploitation

and Abuse

SGTM 5 D: Prevention of Sexual Exploitation

and Abuse


Describe what constitutes sexualexploitation and abuse

Outline the UN policies on standards of conduct concerning sexual exploitation andabuse

Describe what is prohibited behaviour

Explain the impact of misconduct onpeacekeeping operations and host population

Describe what constitutes sexualexploitation and abuse

Outline the UN policies on standards of conduct concerning sexual exploitation andabuse

Describe what is prohibited behaviour

Explain the impact of misconduct onpeacekeeping operations and host population

Learning outcomesLearning outcomes


List the consequences for individuals and themission if mission personnel are directly or indirectly involved engaging in this form of misconduct

List the main responsibilities of personnel and managers/staff officers to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse

Identify who is the peacekeeping operation’s Focal Point on sexual exploitation and abuse

List the consequences for individuals and themission if mission personnel are directly or indirectly involved engaging in this form of misconduct

List the main responsibilities of personnel and managers/staff officers to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse

Identify who is the peacekeeping operation’s Focal Point on sexual exploitation and abuse

Learning outcomesLearning outcomes


Pre-workshop testPre-workshop test

10 minutes to complete

Test to be re-taken at the end of session

Upon completion, please putit away for now

10 minutes to complete

Test to be re-taken at the end of session

Upon completion, please putit away for now


Sexual exploitation

Any actual or attempted abuse of aposition of vulnerability, differential poweror trust for sexual purposes, including butnot limited to, profiting monetarily,socially or politically from the sexualexploitation of another.

(ST/SGB/2003/13)

Sexual exploitation

Any actual or attempted abuse of aposition of vulnerability, differential poweror trust for sexual purposes, including butnot limited to, profiting monetarily,socially or politically from the sexualexploitation of another.

(ST/SGB/2003/13)

What is sexual exploitation and abuse?What is sexual exploitation and abuse?


Sexual abuse

Actual or threatened physical intrusionof a sexual nature, whether by force orunder unequal or coercive conditions.

(ST/SGB/2003/13)

Sexual abuse

Actual or threatened physical intrusionof a sexual nature, whether by force orunder unequal or coercive conditions.

(ST/SGB/2003/13)

What is sexual exploitation and abuse?What is sexual exploitation and abuse?


Standards of conductStandards of conduct

Sexual activity with children (personsunder the age of 18) is prohibited

Exchange of money, employment,goods, assistance or services for sex,e.g. sex with prostitutes, is prohibited

Sexual relationships with beneficiariesof assistance are strongly discouraged

Sexual activity with children (personsunder the age of 18) is prohibited

Exchange of money, employment,goods, assistance or services for sex,e.g. sex with prostitutes, is prohibited

Sexual relationships with beneficiariesof assistance are strongly discouraged


Secretary-General’s BulletinSecretary-General’s Bulletin

Consider the “test” for sexual exploitation:

Actual or attempted abuse of: Position of vulnerability Differential power Trust

for sexual purposes

Consider the “test” for sexual exploitation:

Actual or attempted abuse of: Position of vulnerability Differential power Trust

for sexual purposes


What is human trafficking?What is human trafficking?

Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by the threat or use of force or other means, for the purpose of exploitation.

(Art 3 UN Trafficking Protocol)

Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by the threat or use of force or other means, for the purpose of exploitation.

(Art 3 UN Trafficking Protocol)


We createthe demand

We are part of the problem

We createthe demand

We are part of the problem


Women and children most vulnerable

Sexual violence as strategy in armed conflict

Increase of organized crime

Increased poverty

Loss of social services

Loss of access to rights; fear of reporting and retaliation

Unequal power relationships that can be exploited

Women and children most vulnerable

Sexual violence as strategy in armed conflict

Increase of organized crime

Increased poverty

Loss of social services

Loss of access to rights; fear of reporting and retaliation

Unequal power relationships that can be exploited

Special vulnerability in conflictsSpecial vulnerability in conflicts


Impact on mission mandateImpact on mission mandate

Violates victim’s human rights

Misconduct contrary to UN Principles

Violates integrity and impartiality

Reduces credibility and image of UN

Threatens security

Undermines rule of law and fosters crime

Violates victim’s human rights

Misconduct contrary to UN Principles

Violates integrity and impartiality

Reduces credibility and image of UN

Threatens security

Undermines rule of law and fosters crime


Sexual exploitation and abuse is seriousmisconduct and subject to disciplinary action

Possible summary dismissal, termination ofUN contract and no further UN service

For criminal offences, all except militarymembers of national contingents can betried in the host country

Military members of national contingentssubject to their own military justice,including court martial

Sexual exploitation and abuse is seriousmisconduct and subject to disciplinary action

Possible summary dismissal, termination ofUN contract and no further UN service

For criminal offences, all except militarymembers of national contingents can betried in the host country

Military members of national contingentssubject to their own military justice,including court martial

Consequences of sexual misconductConsequences of sexual misconduct


Your responsibilitiesYour responsibilities

Be informed

Be a role model

Report suspicions, rumours andallegations

Cooperate fully withinvestigations

Inform local population onreporting mechanisms

Be informed

Be a role model

Report suspicions, rumours andallegations

Cooperate fully withinvestigations

Inform local population onreporting mechanisms


Be a role model

Create an environment that discourages sexual exploitation and abuse

Provide information to and raise awareness of PKO personnel

Provide information to local populations on the UN standards of conduct and complaints mechanisms available

Be a role model

Create an environment that discourages sexual exploitation and abuse

Provide information to and raise awareness of PKO personnel

Provide information to local populations on the UN standards of conduct and complaints mechanisms available

What are the duties of managers and officers to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse?

What are the duties of managers and officers to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse?


Chain of Command

Mission Focal Point (or other agencyfocal point)

Personnel Conduct Officer

The Office of Internal OversightServices (OIOS)

Chain of Command

Mission Focal Point (or other agencyfocal point)

Personnel Conduct Officer

The Office of Internal OversightServices (OIOS)

How do I report a rumour of sexual exploitation?How do I report a rumour of sexual exploitation?


Examine the case study you havebeen given:

Identify and discuss the issues aroundsexual exploitation and abuse

Which of the identified acts constitutemisconduct and why?

Examine the case study you havebeen given:

Identify and discuss the issues aroundsexual exploitation and abuse

Which of the identified acts constitutemisconduct and why?

In groupsIn groups


Remember Sex with anyone under 18 years of age is

prohibited Exchanging money, goods, food or

employment for sex, e.g. prostitution, is prohibited

Prevent sexual exploitation and abuse

Report any suspicions, rumours or allegations

Set an example

Remember Sex with anyone under 18 years of age is

prohibited Exchanging money, goods, food or

employment for sex, e.g. prostitution, is prohibited

Prevent sexual exploitation and abuse

Report any suspicions, rumours or allegations

Set an example

Key messages

sgtm 5 d: prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse

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