A survivor-centered approach is key to ensure access to healthcare, psychosocial support, legal assistance, livelihood alternatives, safe shelter, and other potential life-saving services for those who've been sexually exploited and abused by aid workers, peacekeepers and others preying on vulnerable groups. In the decades since UN peacekeepers and UN civilian staff, NGOs and diplomats were found to sexually abuse and exploit local women and children in Cambodia (1991-1993) during UNTAC, too little has been done to provide services to the survivors. Survivors need access to Post-exposure Preventive Kits within 72 hours of an assault. It is necessary for aid organisations to consult intensively with local women's associations, organisations for people with disabilities, LGBTIQ organisations and those representing other minorities and groups at risk, in order to develop safe, community based reporting mechanisms and map and vet assistance to survivors. IFRC adopted its PSEA policy in June 2018 and is supporting Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies in developing their policies and practices. https://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/06/IFRC-Secretariat-Policy-on-Prevention-and-Response-to-SEA_final.pdf I will hold a webinar using this PPT on 16 November, which is a preparation of participants for a PSEA policy writeshop scheduled for 3-5 December and hosted by the Finnish Red Cross. The webinar is open to other staff and volunteers of the RC RC Movement as well. Big thank you to Abby Maxman and Jennifer Emond at Oxfam US for valuable input to this presentation.

1. Survivor-centred approach in prevention and response to
sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA)
By Tina Tinde, PSEA Advisor, IFRC. Webinar for National Societies 16 Nov 2018

2. Objectives and outcomes
Objective: Participants will have deepened their understanding of:
 How to ensure the organisation’s response takes a survivor-centred
approach to SEA cases
 How to mitigate risks in relation to a survivor-centred approach
 How we can promote the survivor’s preferences and safety while
meeting our legal and contractual obligations
Outcome: By the end of this session, we hope to identify:
 Good practice and guidance for a survivor-centred approach
 Issues for collective advocacy to major donors
 Understanding of the foundation for the development of the PSEA
policy – which is the survivor-centred approach

3. Outline
I. Key Terms: What do we mean by “Survivor-Centred”?
II. Safe Response to SEA (and Sexual Harassment)
Allegations
i. Survivor Assistance
ii. Investigations
iii. Closing the feedback loop
III. Referring/reporting cases to local authorities, outside
organizations, partners, and donors.

4. I. KEY TERMS – SURVIVOR-CENTRED
IFRC Principles of a Survivor-Centred Approach to PSEA:
 Safety: the safety and security of the survivor is the
number one priority for all actors.
 Do no harm: no action should be taken that would
worsen the situation of a survivor of sexual exploitation
or abuse
 Respect: all actions taken are guided by respect for the
choices, wishes, rights and dignity of the survivor.

5. I. KEY TERMS – SURVIVOR-CENTRED
 Confidentiality: There must be strict adherence to
confidentiality regarding the survivor’s identity and other
identifying information in every aspect of case handling.
All actions are to be taken to ensure that any matter is
handled in full confidentiality
 Non-discrimination: IFRC provides equal and fair
treatment to anyone in need of help due to an SEA
incident involving IFRC Personnel.

6. I. KEY TERMS – SURVIVOR-CENTRED
 Child protection: Child survivors are to benefit from a
particular attention and their specific needs must be
addressed. Child protection specialists must be
consulted regarding the care for children.

7. I. KEY TERMS – SURVIVOR-CENTRED
A number of relevant actions to ensure a survivor-
centered approach:
• Showing trust, not distrust in what survivors tell
• Listening
• Awareness
• Empowerment
• Non-judgmental and non-directive
• Informed Consent

8. I. KEY TERMS – SURVIVOR-CENTRED
When someone comes to you to disclose a sexual
violence issue:
Listen and ensure you are really present and there for
them
Ensure privacy and safety
Give them adequate time
Reassure them they are not to blame
Encourage them to regain control
Do not judge
Be sensitive
Provide help - address basic urgent needs first, if any

9. INFORMED CONSENT
Informed consent is required prior to:
 Engaging in sexual activity
 Recording a complaint
 Sharing the name and contact details of the
complainant/survivor
 Being referred to survivor support services
 Participating in an investigation
 Contacting for follow-up information
 Remember, a complainant can make and
anonymous complaint
Informed consent can be withdrawn at any time.

10. A FRAMEWORK FOR SAFE RESPONSE
SURVIVOR-CENTRED APPROACH
INFORMED CONSENT

11. RECEIVING THE COMPLAINT
 Multiple reporting channels are necessary to encourage
survivors and witnesses to come forward as everyone has
a different preference. What is the preferred method for
staff might not be the preferred method for affected
people.
 Children need special consideration when designing
reporting channels. These should be safe as well and not
put individuals in harm’s way.
 All staff who may receive a complaint should be trained on
how to respond.

12. SAFE RESPONSE – TYPES OF CASES
Types of complaints you might see
 (Attempted) exchange of sexual favours for goods or
services (extra food, extra tents, medication, jobs, water,
money, etc.)
 Possibly associated pregnancies
 Requests for phone numbers or after-hour visits by
distribution officers, camp managers, service providers.
 Rumours/allegations of inappropriate relationships with
beneficiaries – including false promises of marriage.
 Sexual harassment (comments, text messages, etc.)
 (Attempted) sexual assault/rape
 Forced prostitution, survival sex, prostitution rings, human
trafficking.

13. A FRAMEWORK FOR SAFE RESPONSE

14. SAFE RESPONSE – ASSISTANCE
Survivors of Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV),
including SEA, have the right to assistance and support,
including:
 Medical
 Protection
 Legal counselling (referral to e.g. legal assistance assn)
 Psychosocial (counselling, etc.)
 Immediate material care (food, clothing, emergency and
safe shelter, as necessary)
 Alternative livelihoods
This support is not dependent on the outcome of an
investigation.

15. SAFE RESPONSE – ASSISTANCE
 Who should provide survivor assistance?
This support is best provided by specialized GBV and Child
Protection Service Providers in your location.
 Access to good quality support may vary depending on
the location and context.
 INFORMED CONSENT is needed prior to referral.
 If your organization provides GBV/CP services, you
should not support the survivor directly unless no other
option – conflict of interest.

16. SAFE RESPONSE – ASSISTANCE
 Organizational Responsibility
 Make sure your PSEA Focal Point/Delegate or Protection,
Gender and Inclusion, Psychosocial Support or Health
Delegate is in contact with local SGBV/CP Networks for
swift referral
 Know the legal framework and local context
 Post-exposure Preventive (PEP) Kits
 Hospitals qualified to provide Clinical Management of
Rape Protocol

17. SAFE RESPONSE – ASSISTANCE
 Mandatory reporting of rape laws. (Ref “situation analysis”
in IFRC’s SGBV in Emergencies training programme)
 Make sure your PSEA Delegates/Focal Points or e.g. PGI
or Psychosocial Support Delegate explain available
assistance and mandatory reporting requirements to
survivor.
 Get informed consent prior to referring for assistance.
 Think about long-term and/or financial compensation for
survivors.

18. SAFE RESPONSE – INVESTIGATIONS

19. SAFE RESPONSE – INVESTIGATIONS
Investigations are extremely risky for survivors, witnesses, NGO staff, even the
alleged perpetrator - especially in a camp setting:
 Reports of threats against service providers and survivors
 Investigations are not always advisable
 Challenges linked to access, language, culture, security
 A risk assessment and mitigation strategy (protection strategy) should be in place
prior to conducting an investigation.
 Informed Consent is required to include any individual in an investigation.
 Survivors should be kept updated about status of the investigation.
 Remind your staff not to investigate themselves unless they are trained!

20. SAFE RESPONSE – INVESTIGATIONS
Template for safe investigations:
 A case management team convened
 2 qualified investigators identified and hired (preferably at least one of whom
is an outside expert).
 Risk assessment and mitigation/protection plan developed.
 Alleged perpetrator may be suspended with full pay pending the investigation.
 Survivors can be relocated only if they wish.
 Investigation undertaken – complainant usually interviewed first,
alleged perpetrator last.
 Investigation concluded, report drafted, including recommendations.
 If the case is substantiated, the case will be referred for disciplinary action and
potentially to local authorities.
 Even if case is not substantiated, action can/should still be taken.

21. SAFE RESPONSE – INVESTIGATIONS
What special considerations must be borne in mind to ensure the protection
of specific groups in vulnerable situations in the context of investigations?
Lacking work permit
Homeless
Single parents
Child-headed
households
Older people
Ex combatants
SGBV survivors
Migrants
People with disabilities
LGBTIQ people
Youth
Children not in school
Ethnic or language
minorities
Stateless people
People without identity
registration

22. SAFE RESPONSE – INVESTIGATIONS
Organizational Responsibility
 Clear procedures, policy and/or guidelines for investigations
 Should clarify what information is shared with whom
 Invest in capacity to investigate
 Document decision making/investigative process
 Every report should be looked into, even if not investigated
 Consult protection/safeguarding specialist to ensure safe investigations
 Independent oversight of decision making/investigations to ensure no conflicts
and appropriate action taken

23. SCENARIOS
Discussion: Think about informed consent and survivor safety. Think
about possible repercussions for your decisions.
Scenario 1
 A community member has reported that a young boy in the community
is being sexually abused by a staff member. What should/can you do?
Scenario 2
 You notice that, during a distribution of food, one of the volunteers is
giving extra food to some young women in the queue. Later you see
the same male volunteer with the women in a local bar. What
should/can you do?

24. SCENARIOS
Scenario 3
 You receive a report of a prostitution ring operating out of a refugee
camp involving one of your staff members who is also a refugee living
in the same camp. Other alleged perpetrators include local security
forces and camp management (both essential to your operations and
safety of your staff). The survivor who reported fears for her life and
wants to know how you will guarantee her safety if she agrees to
participate in the investigation. What should/can you do?

25. FEEDBACK AND FOLLOW-UP

26. FEEDBACK AND FOLLOW-UP
FEEDBACK should be provided, when requested/consented to
 Your complaint has been received and has been referred for
investigation
 The investigation is underway
 The investigation has been concluded
 Unfortunately, due to a lack of evidence, this case could not be
corroborated and is now dismissed. This does not mean that we do not
believe you.
 The case has been substantiated and action taken.
 Remember to inform the survivor or their case worker regarding the
status of the investigation for safety reasons.

27. FEEDBACK AND FOLLOW-UP
CLOSING THE LOOP means providing closure and
feedback when possible
Closing the feedback loop increases trust in the
system, improves credibility and transparency of the
process.
Even if the investigation took place and action was
taken, if the survivor/complainant is not informed, it’s
as if nothing was done.

28. REPORTING TO THE UN
UN Protocol on SEA Allegations Involving Implementing Partners, endorsed Feb
2018:https://www.un.org/preventing-sexual-exploitation-and-
abuse/sites/www.un.org.preventing-sexual-exploitation-and-
abuse/files/un_protocol_on_sea_allegations_involving_implementing_partners_en.
pdf
 Implementing partners will be required to provide a written undertaking to
ensure adherence to 6 key standards prior to entering into a cooperation
agreement – see section 3, page 2 https://oios.un.org/resources/2015/01/ST-
SGB-2003-13.pdf
 Prior to entering into or reviewing a partnership agreement, the UN partner
entity should request documentation of regular training offered by the
implementing partners to their employees and associated personnel on
prevention and response to SEA
 It is the responsibility of implementing partners to promptly report allegations of
SEA to the UN partner entity.

29. REPORTING TO DONORS
Donors:
 Mandatory reporting to may have less risk but can infringe on a survivor’s right
to confidentiality, consent, and choice.
 Is there a contractual requirement to report to your donor?
 If so, when? (after administrative investigation concluded or immediately?)
 What information do you have to share and to whom?
 Is it safe to do so? (ask local protection actors for advice if needed)
 Do you have consent?

30. REPORTING TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES &
DONORS
Organizational Responsibility
 Know your obligations
 Clear procedures and/or guidelines for reporting to donors/authorities
 Should clarify what information is shared with whom and by whom
 Push to only share anonymized, password protected summaries of cases and
NOT the case report itself
 Consult protection/safeguarding specialist to ensure safety of survivor
 Document decision making regarding why a case was or wasn’t reported
 Keep the survivor safe above all else -> do no harm

31. How to build trust in local communities?
ICVA carried out a study in 2018 that
found community-based complaint
mechanisms to be in place, but not
being functional to handle SEA
complaints and did not receive any.
Kenya RC has a PSEA policy since
2014 and local complaint mechanisms
throughout the country, but no SEA
complaints have been lodged.

32. Inter-Agency Standing Committee
Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF and
PSEA Champion for the Inter-Agency Standing
Committee, announced in September 2018:

33. International Safeguarding Summit in
London 18 October 2018

34. IFRC supporting National Societies
Adopted in June 2018 and includes:
 Designation of PSEA focal points in all
office locations
 Setting up functioning community-based
complaints mechanisms
 Assistance to victims guidance
 A training and awareness-raising plan
 Responsibilities of staff and managers
 Budget and tracking
 Reporting in a transparent manner.

35. Questions, comments?
Contact:
PSEA Advisor tina.tinde@ifrc.org
Thank you to Abby Maxman and
Jennifer Emond at Oxfam US for
valuable input to this presentation.