PreventionofSexualExploitationandAbuse

RecommendationsfortheACFIDCodeofConduct

August2018

By:BelindaLucas&JoThomson

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................12. RESEARCHANDCONSULTATIONS...................................................................23. INTERNATIONALCONTEXT..............................................................................24. AUSTRALIANCONTEXT....................................................................................45. ISSUESDISCUSSEDDURINGCONSULTATIONS.................................................66. RATIONALEFORCHANGESTOTHECODE&QAF.............................................77. RECOMMENDEDCHANGESTOCODE&QAF..................................................128. ANNEX1:INTERNATIONALSTANDARDS........................................................189. ANNEX2:GOODPRACTICERESOURCES........................................................21

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1. INTRODUCTIONTheACFIDCodeofConductCommitteehasinitiatedareviewoftheACFIDCodeofConductstandardstoensureitsapproachtothepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseisrelevantandstrong.Thereviewwaspromptedbyaninternationalfocusoverthelastsixmonthsontheneedfortheglobalaidsectortodomoretopreventsexualexploitationandabuse.ReportsalleginginadequatereportingandhandlingofsexualmisconductbyhumanitarianNGOstaffduringthe2010-11HaitiearthquakeresponsewerereleasedintheUKmediainFebruary2018.Thiswasfollowedbysubsequentrevelationsacrosstheaidandhumanitariansectormorebroadlyregardingsexualmisconductwhichgaveadditionalweighttodocumentationandevidencedatingbackto2002.Inadditiontoissuesofcriminalityandtheprofoundnegativeimpactsonpeopleaffected,actsofsexualexploitationandabuseeithercarriedoutbyNGOstaffornotpreventedbyNGOs,reflectabreachofourvaluesbasedprinciplesandourcommitmenttosafeguarding,genderequality,donoharmandaccountability.Actsofexploitationandabuseareintrinsicallylinkedtoissuesofgenderinequalityandpowerdifferentialsanddisproportionatelyaffectwomenandgirls.TheinternationalandAustralianresponseinthemonthssinceFebruary2018hasbeenswiftandextensive.Aidpartnershaveundertakeninternalreviewsofpolicy,standards,andhistoricalincidentmanagement;andDFIDandDFAThaveundertakeninternalreviewsandsoughtassurancefromallNGOpartnersoftheirsafeguardingpracticesandreportedincidents.AParliamentaryInquirywasundertakenintheUKwiththeInternationalDevelopmentCommittee’s(UKIDC)reportbeingreleasedinlateJuly2018.ACFIDhascommissionedanIndependentReviewincooperationwithDFATandthisreviewofitsCodeofConduct.Thesectorhasnotsatidleinregardstopreventingsexualexploitationandabusesince2002.MuchefforthasbeenmadebytheUN,NGOs,governmentdonorsandNGOrepresentativebodiessuchasInternationalCouncilofVoluntaryAgencies(ICVA),InterActionandACFIDthroughresearchandreflectionandthedevelopmentofgoodpracticesandstandards.Nevertheless,itisclearfromrecentreportsandreviewsthatthesectorcontinuestofaceseriouschallengesinaddressingtheissueofsexualexploitationandabuse.Thesechallengesareparticularlyevidentinregardstoovercomingtheunderlyinggenderandpowerinequalities,achievingthenecessarychangestoleadershipandculturewithinorganisations,andtheneedtoaddressthefactorsthatpreventvictimsfromreportingsexualexploitationandabuse,suchasfearofretributionandlackofbenefitfromreporting.TheinternationalandAustralianresponseatasectorandindividualorganisationallevelmustbesignificantandeffective.However,itisimportanttounderstandthedifferentriskprofilesofhumanitariananddevelopmentcontextsandtheuniquedifferencesbetweentheAustralianandUKsectorstoensureawellinformedandnuancedresponse.Inparticular,thelong-standingadherencebyAustralianNGOstoACFID’sCodeofConductandDFAT’srigorousNGOaccreditationsystemandtheirsafeguarding,complaintshandlingandwhistleblowingrequirements.ACFIDanditsmembersarecommittedtofurtherimprovingtheirstandards,practiceandculturetopreventandrespondtosexualexploitationandabuseinoursector.

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2. RESEARCHANDCONSULTATIONSTheanalysisandrecommendationsoutlinedinthispaperhavebeeninformedbyanextensivereviewofinternationalliteratureandconsultationswithACFIDCommunitiesofPractice(COPs)andmembers.ResearchTheliteraturereviewedhasincludedallkeyreportsandarticlesfromreviewsandinvestigationsundertakensince2002,keyUNSpecialMeasures,standardsandcodesofconduct,andallkeygoodpracticestandards.Reportsofparticularnoteinclude:the2010InterAgencyStandingCommitteeGlobalReviewofProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbusebyUN,NGO,IOMandIFRCPersonnel;the2017UNSpecialMeasuresfortheProtectionfromSexualExploitationanAbuse–ANewApproachReport;the2018InternationalCouncilofVoluntaryAssociations(ICVA)TheLongRuntoProtectionAgainstSexualExploitationandAbuseReport;andthe2018UKInternationalDevelopmentCommitteeSexualExploitationandAbuseintheAidSectorReport.ThekeyreferencedocumentswhichareinformingstandardsandpracticesgloballyaretheCoreHumanitarianStandards(CHS)andtheInterAgencyStandingCommittee’s(IASC)MinimumOperatingStandardsforProtectionfromSexualexploitationandAbuse(MOS-PSEA).ThesestandardshavedirectlyinformedtherecommendationsforchangestotheCodeofConductoutlinedinthisreport.ConsultationsAConsultationDocumentwaspreparedbytheReviewTeamtoprovideACFIDCommunitiesofPractice(COPs)andmemberswithpreliminaryrecommendationsforrevisionstotheCodeofConductanditsQualityAssuranceFramework.ThesepreliminaryrecommendationswerereviewedbyCOPsandmembersanddiscussedthroughaseriesofteleconferencesandwebinarsinearlyAugust.Approximately20membersengagedintheteleconferencesinadditiontotherepresentativesfromtheHumanResources,ChildRights,GenderEquityandSexualRightsinDevelopmentCOPs.�ThediscussionswiththesectorandfeedbackfromACFIDmembershaveinformedtherecommendationspresentedinthispaperatSections8and9.TheproposedrevisionstotheCodeofConductandtheQualityAssuranceFrameworkwereconsideredbytheCodeofConductCommitteeinAugust2018andwillbeconsideredbythefullACFIDMembershipatACFID’sAnnualConferenceandAnnualGeneralMeetinginOctober2018.

3. INTERNATIONALCONTEXTSexualexploitationandabuseintheaidsectorwasbroughttotheforefrontofpublicattentionin2002followingallegationsofwidespreadsexualexploitationandabuseofrefugeeandinternallydisplacedwomenandchildrenbyhumanitarianworkersandpeacekeepersintheconflictareasofWestAfrica.Sincethattime,furtherreportsofsexualexploitationandabusebyaidworkersandpeacekeepershavecontinuedtoemerge.Mostrecently,thiswasintheformofmediareportsalleginginadequatereportingandhandlingofsexualmisconductbyhumanitarianNGOstaffduringthe2010-11Haitiearthquake

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response,andthensubsequentrevelationsacrosstheaidandhumanitariansectormorebroadlyregardingsexualmisconduct.FollowingthemostrecentallegationsinFebruary2018,therehasbeenagreatdealofscrutinyandanalysisoftheperformanceoftheglobalaidsector’sattentiontothepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseandthefindingshavebeendamning.TherecentlyreleasedUKIDCreport1into‘Sexualexploitationandabuseintheaidsector’foundthataidorganisationshavesystematicallyfailedtoprotectvulnerablepeoplewhoarereceivingaidfromexploitationandabuse;thatsexualexploitationandabuseisendemicacrossorganisations,countriesandinstitutions;andthattherehasbeenacollectivefailureofleadershipandengagementfromtoplevelsdownovermanyyears.Italsodrewattentiontotheseriousissueofsexualharassmentandabuseofaidworkers.Itmakesaseriesofexcellentrecommendationstoaddressthefailuresofthesector.Asalreadynoted,therearesomeimportantobservationsthatsitalongsidetheIDCreportandpreviousreportsonsexualexploitationandabusethatalsowarranthighlighting.Thefirstoftheseisthatthebulkofthereportsthathighlighttheissueofsexualexploitationandabuserelatetohumanitariansettings.Thereiswidespreadrecognitionthattheriskofsexualexploitationandabuseisheightenedinthosehumanitariancontextswherelocalpopulationsareattheirmostvulnerable,wherelocalpublicsafetyandlegalsystemsareineffectiveorwhollyabsentandwherelocalandexpatriatestaffingisrapidlymobilisedandoftenshortterm.Vulnerabilitiesandpowerdifferentialswhichincreasetheriskofharassment,exploitationandabusearepresentinallsettingsbutareincreasedinhumanitariansettings.Manyofthepreviousreportshavereflectedfindingsfromconflictsettingsandamixofmilitaryandcivilianpersonnel.Thesecondimportantobservationisthatthesectorlacksdataontheprevalenceofsexualexploitationandabuseinaidresponses.ThereisenoughevidencefromhumanitarianinquiriesandUNreportstotellusthatsexualexploitationandabuseisaseriousproblem,buttheresearchalsohighlightstheinadequacyofreportingculturesandsystemsthatwouldprovidedeeperinsightsintothenumberofincidents,typeofincidents,profileofperpetrators,andtheexperienceofvictims.Forexample,theUKIDCreportnotesthatmostreportedharassmentandabusecasesrelatetoaidworkersfromdonorcountries,butthatlittleisknownabouttheexperiencesoflocally-engagedaidworkers.Thislackofdatahasledtotheconflationofimportantdistinctions–forexample,‘aidworkersandpeacekeepers’areoftenreferredtointhesamecontext,and‘aidsector’isusedtorefertobothdevelopmentandhumanitariancontexts.Itisimportantthatthesectorworkstowardsmoreclarityinitsdiscussionofsexualexploitationandabuseandthe‘aidsector’toensurethatresponsesaretailoredappropriatelytothedifferentcontextsinwhichorganisationswork.Thethirdobservationisthatpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuserecommendationshavelargelybeengearedtowardsinternationalhumanitarianactors.Thisishighlyappropriate,butfurtherdiscourseisneededwhichinterrogatestheoperatingmodelsandapproachesofinternationalNGOs,whoworkinpartnershipthroughinternationalconsortiums,governmentagencies,andincreasingly,localcivilsocietyorganisations.LocalisationisoneofthecorecommitmentsoftheWorldHumanitarianSummitandtheGrandBargain.ThismeansthatwhileinternationalNGOswillstillplayamajorroleinpublicfundraisingforhumanitarianresponses,weshouldexpecttoseeanincreasein

1https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmintdev/840/840.pdf

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locally-ledhumanitarianresponses.Thisoperatingmodelneedstoinformthedesignofsafeguardingapproachesandthetypesofinvestmentsthatwillneedtobemadebyinternationalorganisationstoeffectivelysupportlocalpartnerstopreventsexualexploitationandabuse.Thefinalobservationisthatthereisanexistingbodyofspecialmeasures,resourcesandstandardsthathasbeendevelopedbytheinternationalhumanitariancommunityoverthelasttwodecadesrelatingtopreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.Specifically,theInterAgencyStandingCommittee’s(IASC)MinimumOperatingStandardsforProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuse(2012),whichprovidesguidanceandspecificindicatorsonhoworganisationscansetupinternalstructurestofulfilltheirpreventionofsexualexploitationandabusecommitments;andtheCoreHumanitarianStandard(CHS)(2016),whichistheglobalstandardforaccountabilitytopeopleaffectedbydisaster,conflictorpovertyandhasexplicitcommitmentsrelatingtoprotectionfromsexualharassment,exploitationandabuseofaffectedpopulationsandstaff.BothstandardsarereferredtoinmoredetailinSection7ofthisdocument,astheycontinuetoprovideausefulframeworkfororganisationsinestablishingappropriatesafeguards.ThereisalsoanexistingsuiteofpreventionofsexualexploitationandabusetrainingandtoolsdevelopedbyorganisationssuchasInterAction,ICVAandthemoreextensiveguidanceandworkofCHSAlliance,KeepingChildrenSafeandtheIASCTaskForceonProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuse.ThesegoodpracticeguidancetoolsarelistedatAnnex1ofthisreport.

4. AUSTRALIANCONTEXTAsnotedabove,muchofthecommentaryregardingsexualexploitationandabuseintheaidsectorhastakenabroadapproach,conflatingorgeneralisinganumberofimportantissuesandcontexts.ItisimportanttounderstandtheissuesastheyrelatetotheAustralianNGOcontextandtosituateAustralianNGOswithinthisbroaderinternationaldiscourse,bothtogainanuancedunderstandingofthechallengefacingAustralianNGOsandtoensureawellinformedandtailoredresponse.BroadreferencesarebeingmadetointernationalcharitiesorNGOsinvolvedinthedeliveryofaidasaglobal,homogenousgroupwheninrealitytheyrepresentNGOswhoworkinvastlydifferentoperatingenvironments,throughdifferentoperatingmodels,andwithdifferinglevelsofcontactwithprimarystakeholders.InAustralia,wehaveNGOswhoworkprimarilywithgovernmentorganisationsatapolicylevel;NGOswhoprovidefundingtolocalpartnerstosupportlocaldevelopmentinitiatives;NGOSwhohavefieldofficesstaffedbynationalstaffwhoareinvolvedindeliveringprogramslocally;NGOswhosendfundingtotheirinternationalheadquarterswhoprogramthesefundsthroughinternationalaffiliatesindevelopingcountries;andsomeNGOswhosendtheirownstaffoverseastodeliverprograms.ManyAustralianNGOs,particularlylargeragencies,workthroughtheirinternationalfederationsorsimilarstructures.ThisisparticularlyevidentinhumanitarianresponseswhereANGOstypicallyraisefundsonbehalfoftheirinternationalbodyortheentityintherelevantcountryandprovidefundsforhumanitarianassistancebutdonotprovidedirectprogrammingsupport.ExceptionstothistendtobeinthePacific,whereresponsesareofteninpostnaturaldisastersettingsandAustralianNGOsleadtheresponse.Thenatureofthesecontextsisdifferenttothehigherriskconflictorpostconflicthumanitariansettingsthathaveinformedmostofthereportsonsexualexploitationandabusetodate.ThissettingdoesnotameliorateAustralianNGOsfromtheirresponsibilitytoimprove

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safeguardingpractices,butratherhelpssituateAustralianNGOsinthebroaderinternationalaidlandscape.OneofthechallengestheinternationaloperatingmodelraisesforAustralianNGOsistheirdependenceoninternationalpartnerstopreventsexualexploitationandabuseinthosehigherriskhumanitariansettingswhereAustralianfundingisused,butwheretheAustralianNGOisnotcoordinatingorimplementingtheresponse.Itischallengingfortheinternationalheadoffice,andinturntheAustralianaffiliateNGO,toensureimplementationofallsafeguardingmeasures.Tocounterthishowever,someinternationalNGOsarerequiringatleastsomecorepoliciesandpracticessuchassafeguardingtobecentrallymandated.IthasalsobeencommonforAustralianNGOsto‘punchabovetheirweight’withininternationalfederationsorequivalent,oftenleadingonissuessuchaschildsafeguardinganddisabilityinclusion.AnothercontextualfactortonoteisthattheregulatoryandstandardsenvironmentinAustraliaforAustralianNGOsdeliveringaid,differssignificantlytothatoftheUKandmanyotherdonorcountries.NodefinitivesexualexploitationandabuseprevalencedataexistsintheinternationalaidsectororintheAustraliansectorforthepurposesofdirectcomparison,howeveritisreasonabletoexpectthatthecommitmenttoandcompliancewithlongstandingregulationsandstandardsinAustraliawhichencompassthefullsuiteofsafeguardingrequirements,hasfosteredrobustsafeguardingandaccountabilitypracticesamongstparticipatingAustralianNGOs.TheseregulationsandstandardsforAustraliandevelopmentandhumanitarianNGOsincludebothvoluntaryself-regulationthroughtheACFIDCodeofConductandexternallyimposed,thirdpartyverificationofhighstandardsofpracticethroughtheDFATNGOaccreditationprocess.ThecombinationoftheACFIDCodeofConductandDFATAccreditationisunparalleledinternationallyandprovidesanarchitecture,cultureandorganisationalreadinesstofurtherdevelopandimplementsafeguardingpolicies.All119ACFIDNGOmembersmustbecompliantwithitsCodeofConduct.57ofthosemembers,representing85%ofmembers’overallspend,arealsoaccreditedwithDFAT.Thisgroup,whichoverseesthemajorityofdevelopmentandhumanitarianspendbyANGOs,isthereforeregulatedandcommittedtotwowellalignedbutseparatelyrobust,regulatoryprocesses.Evidentthroughbothisanexplicitfocusonthesafeguardingofvulnerablepeople,withaparticularfocusonchildsafeguardingandallitsassociatedsafeguardingproceduresandrequirementsforastaffcodeofconductandcomplaintshandlingandwhistleblowingprocesses.Thisdegreeofregulationandqualityassuranceofsafeguardingandotherqualityandaccountabilitypracticesisuniqueinternationally.ACFIDandtheAustralianNGOsectortogetherwithDFAT(thenAusAID)drovetheearlyandexplicitfocusonsafeguardingofvulnerablegroups,inparticularchildrenandpeoplewithadisability.Thisresultedinastrongfocusonthesafeguardingofchildren(andothervulnerablegroups)inDFAT’sAustralianaidprogramandamongstAustralianNGOs.TheACFIDCodeofConductrequiresitsNGOmemberstoprotectthosewhoarevulnerableandthoseaffectedbymarginalisationandexclusion.TheCodeofConductandDFATAccreditationhasadditionalexplicitrequirementsforthesafeguardingofchildren.ThishasresultedinanAustralianAidprogramandAustralianNGOsectorwheresafeguardingpracticesarewellunderstood,socialisedandestablishedwithinorganisations.AsaresultofveryspecificpolicyandsystemsrequirementsoutlinedundertheACFIDCodeofConductandDFATaccreditation,theorganisationalpolicyandprocedurearchitectureis

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alreadywellestablishedinACFIDMemberorganisationstoidentify,respondto,andpreventtheriskofsexualexploitationandabuse.Themechanismsthatanorganisationsetsupforchildsafeguardingarelargelythesamemechanismsthatanorganisationneedstopreventsexualexploitationandabuse–leadership,policy,focalpoints,staffrecruitment,codesofconduct,complaintsprocesses,investigativeprocedures,victimassistance,cleargroundsforterminationduetomisconduct,andreportingprotocols.

5. ISSUESDISCUSSEDDURINGCONSULTATIONSConsultationswithACFIDmembersfoundhighlevelsofsupportforACFID’sinitiativetoundertakeareviewoftheCodeofConduct.ACFIDmembersrecognisethepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseasanimportantissuethatwarrantsastrongAustralianresponseandbuildsonexistingsafeguards.Arangeofissueswerediscussedthroughtheconsultationsandaresummarisedhereinordertofacilitatefurtherdialogue:1. Membersnotedthechallengesinchoosingterminologythatprovidesbestcoveragefor

sexualmisconduct.Therewasdiscussionabouttheuseoftheterms‘sexualexploitationandabuse’;‘sexualharassment’;‘sexualviolence’andothers;andtherisksofconflatingtheterms.Theterm‘sexualexploitationandabuse’hasbeenusedintheproposedchangestotheACFIDCodeofConductasthisiscurrentlythemostcommonlyusedterminologybeingusedinternationally.

2. Membersdiscussedthe‘holistic’approachthatisbeingtakentosafeguardingintheUK,whichencompasseschildprotection,preventionofsexualexploitationandabuse,andothervulnerabilities.ThisdifferstotheapproachinAustralia,wherechildprotectionhasbeenprioritisedasasafeguardingarea,anddisabilityhasbeenseenfromaninclusionperspective.Withthefocusonpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseasasafeguardingissue,thereisnowdiscussionaboutwhetherAustraliashouldmovetotakeamoreholisticapproachtosafeguarding.Somearguedthatthiswouldprovideamorecohesivepolicyframework,whileothersarguedthatthiswoulddilutetheimportantfocusonchildprotectionandtheneedforsharpenedfocusonpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.TheapproachtakenintheCodeofConductrecommendationsistomaintainchildprotectionasastand-alonecommitment,andintroduceanewcommitmentonpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.ItwillbeimportantthatACFIDMembersareprovidedwiththeflexibilitytoaddresstheseissuesholisticallywithintheirownorganisations.

3. Membersnotedtheimportanceoftakingaholisticapproachtomanagingstaff

behaviourinordertomosteffectivelypreventsexualexploitationandabuse.SomeofthelargerNGOshavestartedrevisingpoliciestocombineissuessuchasdiscrimination,bullying,harassment,andsexualexploitationandabuse.Membersalsodiscussedtheimportanceofdesigningcentralizedreportingsystemsthatcanaccommodatewhistleblowingreports,generalcomplaints,sensitivecomplaintssuchasthoserelatedtochildprotection,financialmisconduct,reportinglinkstoterrorism,andincidentreports.Therewasdiscussionthatcommunicatingmultiplepolicyreportingrequirementscanmakeitconfusingforstaff.TheCodecurrentlyhasreportingrequirementsreferencedindifferentsections,butMemberswouldliketoseeamorecoordinatedapproachtoreportingintheCode.Thereissoundrationalinthisapproach,butalsoconcernfromsomethatthismayfailtotakeintoaccounttheneedforspecializedpoliciesandinvestigativeproceduresforsensitiveissueslikechildprotection

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andsexualexploitationandabuse.ThisfallsbeyondthescopeofthisCodereview,butitanareathatperhapswarrantsconsiderationbytheCodeofConductCommittee.

4. Membersendorsedtheimportanceoftacklingsexualexploitationandabusefromagenderperspectiveandthatsexualexploitationandabuseareintrinsicallylinkedtopowerdifferentialsanddisproportionatelyaffectwomenandgirls.Therearesomeintractableissuesthatpreventionofsexualexploitationandabusepoliciesandstandardswillnotbeabletoaddressinisolationfrommuchdeeperworkongenderequalityandhumanrights.Itisessentialtofindwaysthatwomenandgirlscanconfidentiallyandsafelyreportsexualexploitationandabuse.Inresponsetothisdiscussion,additionalchangestotheCodeofConducthavebeenincludedthatincreasethefocusonpowerdynamicsandissuesofgenderequality.ChangestotheCodeofConductalsorequireprimarystakeholderinputintothedesignofcomplaintsmechanisms,toensurethattheyareappropriate.

5. Therewasdiscussionoftheconflationofthenotionof‘transactionalsex’with‘sexual

exploitationandabuse’.SomeACFIDMembersareconsciousthatsexworkisnotalwaysexploitativeandthereissomebroaderinternationaldiscussion,whichsuggeststhattransactionalsexisalegitimatelivelihoodstrategyinhumanitariancrises.2Thisechoesalongdebateamongfeministsonwhethersexworkisinherentlyexploitativeornot,althoughitisrecognisedthattheconditionsinahumanitariansettingarelikelytobemoreexploitative.Basedonthiscurrentdebate,therecommendationsintheCodeofConductarenotexplicitonthetopicoftransactionalsex,butplacetheonusonindividualmemberstodefinetheirownstaffcodesofconductandpreventionofsexualexploitationandabusepoliciesthatwillarticulatetheirownpositionsonthisissue.

6. ThereisinterestamongsomeACFIDMembersfora‘zerotolerance’approachtobe

explicitintheACFIDCodeofConduct.Thereareinherentchallengeswiththissuggestioninthecontextofsexualharassment,wherethereisabroadspectrumofharassmentexamplesthatmaynotallconstitutegrossmisconductorwarrantterminationofemployment.Itcouldbepossibleforthesectortotakea‘zerotolerance’approachtosexualexploitationandabuse,buttheissuesofconsensualsexwithbeneficiaries(includinglocalfieldstaffwhohaveexistingrelationships)ortransactionalsex,wouldneedtobeclearlyaddressedifthisapproachwastaken.

7. Therewasrecognitionthattheriskofsexualexploitationandabusecanbeconsideredfromtwoperspectives:sexualexploitationandabusebyNGOstaff;andsexualexploitationandabuseexperiencedbyprimarystakeholdersintheirbroaderenvironment–suchasabuseinresidentialcare,trafficking,orwomen-at-risk.TheCodeofConductseekstoaddressbothoftheseaspectsthroughitsexistingfocusonprotectionofvulnerablepeopleandtheproposedincreasedfocusonpoliciesandsystemstopreventandrespondtosexualexploitationandabuse.

6. RATIONALEFORCHANGESTOTHECODE&QAFTheproposedchangestotheACFIDCodeofConductprovidethefoundationforACFIDmemberstodemonstrateandfosterstrongleadershipandorganisationalculturesthatpreventanyformofsexualexploitationandabuse.Theyinclude:

2http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/internationaldevelopment/2017/10/27/emergency-sexwork-should-ngos-recognize-transactional-sex-as-livelihood-strategy/

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• developingaclearpolicyonsexualexploitationandabuse;• undertakinggoodcontextualanalysisusingagenderequalityandpowerdynamics

lens;• undertakingriskanalysisofvulnerabilities;• makingthestaffcodeofconductpublicallyavailable;• investinginrigorousrecruitmentprocessesthatvetcandidatesforprevious

misconduct;• trainingstaffregularlyoncodeofconductexpectationsandkeysafeguarding

policies,includingthecomplaintsandwhistleblowingpolicies;• ensuringcomplaintsmechanismsareappropriateandaccessibletolocalpeople;• actingswiftlyandresponsiblytoanyincidentorallegationusingavictim-centred

approach;and• reportingincidentsappropriately.

TherecommendationsmadeinthispaperreflecttheareasofpracticewhichhavebeenfoundtohavethegreatestimpactonpreventingsexualexploitationandabuseandrespondtothekeyissuesdrawnoutthroughtherecentUKIDCinquiry.TheyhavebeenmadewithparticularreferencetotheCHSandtheIASCMinimumOperatingStandardsforProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuse,bothofwhicharerecognisedgloballywithregardtopreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseinthehumanitariansectorforNGO,UNandnon-UNstaffandweredevelopedasaresultofacomprehensiveconsultationprocessamongsthumanitarianactors.

TherecommendedchangestotheACFIDCodeofConductfallbroadlyintothefollowingareasofpractice:

1. LeadershipandCulture:Whilethereareabroadrangeofpracticesthatareneededtodemonstrateleadershipandorganisationalculturethatpreventssexualexploitationandabuse,thereareseveralthatsetthefoundationsforthis.Thefirstismakinganorganisationalcommitmentthroughanexplicitpolicyposition,therebymakingastrongstatementtoallstakeholdersandtowhichtheorganisation,itsgoverningbodyanditspeoplecanbeheldaccountable.Itisacknowledgedthatmemberorganisationshavemanypoliciescompetingforstaffandpartnerattention,howeverithasbeenproventhroughthesector’sexperiencewithchildprotectionanddisabilityinclusion,thatgivinganissueprominenceandmandate,acceleratesimprovementsinleadership,cultureandpractice.Thesecondisappointingandinvestinginafocalpersonwhoisresponsiblefortheimplementationofapolicyonsexualexploitationandabuse.Itisacknowledgedthatthismaybeaburdenforsmallerorganisations,howeverdoingsoprovidesadditionalleadership,prominence,mandateandaccountability.Thethirdisensuringthatgoverningbodiesaremadefullyawareofanyseriousincidentsandareaccountableforensuringappropriateinvestigation,reportingandresponse(thisisexpandedonlaterinthissection).Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothesepracticesinclude:

• NewCommitment1.5

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• NewComplianceIndicator1.5.1• NewVerifiersforCI1.5.1• NewCommitment7.4.4• NewVerifiersforCI7.4.4.

2. StaffConductandAwareness:Thesecondareaofpracticeisensuringthatstaffclearlyunderstandthatanyformofsexualexploitationandabuseisunacceptablebehaviour,constitutesgrossmisconductandisthegroundsfortermination.Staffshouldbeawarethattheysharearesponsibilitytomaintainanenvironmentthatisfreeofexploitationandabuseandhaveanobligationtoreportanyabusethattheysuspectorwitness.Communicationoftheseexpectationsisbestachievedthroughvettingpotentialstaffforformermisconductthroughrecruitmentprocesses;clearlyarticulatingexpectedstaffbehavioursinastaffcodeofconductandassociatedHRpolicies;ensuringthatexpectedstaffbehavioursandresponsibilitiesarecommunicatedasanessentialpartofinductiontrainingforstaff;providingongoingrefreshertraininginpoliciesandproceduresthatdirectlyrelatetothestaffcodeofconduct;andclearlyestablishingthegroundsforterminationofemployment.Inclusionoftheorganisation’spreventionofsexualexploitationandabusepolicyandstaffcodeofconductontheorganisation’swebsiteisalsoanimportantmechanismforclearlyestablishingthecommitmentandtheexpectationsoftheorganisationtopreventingsexualexploitationandabuse.

TheACFIDCodeofConductcurrentlyrequiresitsMemberstohaveastaffcodeofconductinComplianceIndicator9.4.1,buttherequirementdoesnotspecifythatthestaffcodeofconductshouldincludereferencetosexualharassment,exploitationandabuse.

Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothisareaofpracticeinclude:

• RevisedVerifierforCI7.3.4• RevisedVerifiersforCI9.3.1• NewVerifiersforCI9.3.3• RevisedVerifierforCI9.4.1• NewVerifierforCI9.4.2.

3. AccountabilitytoPrimaryStakeholdersThethirdareaofpracticeisensuringthatprimarystakeholders,communities,andaffectedpopulationsclearlyunderstandtheexpectedbehavioursofstaffsothattheyknowthatitisunacceptabletobeaskedorrequiredtoprovidesexualactsinreturnforaccesstodevelopmentorhumanitarianassistance.Thisrequiresorganisationstoexplicitlycommunicateandpromotetheexpectedbehavioursoftheirstafftotheprimarystakeholdersandcommunitieswithwhomtheywork.Itisakintoensuringthatcommunitiesunderstandtheirrightsandprovidestheplatformforincreasedaccountabilitytocommunities.TherequirementofcommunicatingexpectedstaffbehaviourstocommunitiesisreflectedintheCHSandformsoneoftheIASCMinimumOperatingStandards-PSEA.Communitiesmustalsohaveanaccessible,genderandculturesensitive,andconfidentialmeansofreportingcomplaintsrelatedtoexploitationandabuse.Thisisbestachievedthroughorganisationsestablishingcommunitybasedcomplaintsmechanismsratherthanusinggenericcomplaintsmechanismsdesignedforthegeneralpublic,suchaslodgingacomplaintontheorganisation’swebsite.Aprimarystakeholderthatmaybeilliterate,withoutaccesstotheinternet,withoutexperienceofdealingwithlargeinstitutions,withconcernfortheirongoingaccesstohumanitarianassistanceorfearofretributionisunlikely

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tolodgeacomplaintunlessitishighlycontextualisedtotheirenvironmentandvulnerabilities.Thisplacestheonusondevelopmentandhumanitarianactorsthatareseriousaboutpreventingandrespondingtosexualexploitationandabusetodesignandimplementcomplaintsmechanismsincloseconsultationwithprimarystakeholders,andespeciallywithwomenandgirls.Itisacknowledgedthatachievingthisinallsettingsmaybechallenginghoweveritisalsowelldocumentedthatthisapproachcontributessignificantlytotheefficacyofcommunitybasedcomplaintsmechanisms34.Finally,complaintspolicieswillberequiredtoreflectacommitmenttoprovidingsupportforvictims.ThisreflectsamoralobligationonACFIDMemberstoensurethatavictimofsexualexploitationandabusehasadequateprotection,appropriateassistance,andreliablerecoursetojustice.Thiswillensurethatresponsestosexualexploitationandabusearenotdrivenbyanorganisationalreputationlens,butapeoplecentredlens.Therehasbeendiscussionofincludingthisrequirementasagoodpracticeverifier,butthefindingsfromtheUKIDCinquiryemphasisedtheimportanceofvictimassistanceasafundamentalcomponentofaneffectiveresponsemechanism.Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothisareaofpracticeinclude:

• NewverifierforCI7.3.4:• NewandrevisedverifiersforCI7.3.3.

4. WorkingwithPartnersACFIDmembersoftenworkwithandthroughinternationalandlocalpartnersoverseas,includinginhumanitarianresponses.ThisplacesachallengingbutcriticalobligationonACFIDmemberstoassesstheirpartners’capacitytoimplementsafeguardingandriskpoliciesincludingforchildprotectionandthepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.Inthespiritofdemonstratingorganizationalcommitmenttotheseissues,theCodewillalsorequireMemberstoincludeintheirpartneragreements,specificstatementsaboutchildprotection,preventionofsexualexploitationandabuseandseriousincidentreporting.Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothisareaofpracticeinclude:

• RevisedVerifierforCI5.1.2• RevisedVerifierforCI5.2.1.

5. IncidentreportingandInvestigationsManagementTheACFIDCodeofConductalreadyhasgoodcoverageoftherequirementfororganisationstohaveacomplaintspolicy,whistleblowingpolicyandchildprotectionincidentreportingprocedures.However,therecommendationtoincludeanewrequirementfordocumentedprotocolsforthereportingofseriousincidentsisintendedtoensurethatMemberselevateandrespondtoseriousincidentsinasystematicway.Itwillensurethatgoverningbodiesareawareofseriousincidentsandinapositiontotakeappropriateactiontoprotectbeneficiaries,theirorganisation,andthebroadersector.Thisprovidesgoverningbodieswiththeinformationtheyneedtotakeresponsibilityforleadershipandorganizationalcultureinregardstoimportantissueslikesexualexploitationandabuseandprovidegreaterassurancetothepublic,donors,andthecommunitiestheyworkwiththattheyarecommittedtopreventingsexualexploitationandabuseandaccountabilityinthisregard.

3Inter-AgencyStandingCommittee,Inter-AgencyPSEA-CBCMBestPracticeGuide(2016)4InternationalDevelopmentCommittee(2018).SexualExploitationintheAidSector.

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Thelackofappropriateproceduresforrespondingtoallegationsandincidentsonsensitiveissueslikesexualexploitationandabusehasbeenamajorsourceofcriticismbythemediaandauthorities.ThiswasthemajorconcernrelatedtothemostrecentallegationsagainstinternationalcharitiesintheirhandlingofsexualmisconductinhumanitariansettingsandhasbeenthesubjectofdeepdiscussioninAustraliaandgloballyinrelationtohandlingincidentsofsexualabuse.Assuch,recommendedchangestotheACFIDCodeofConductalsoincludeanewrequirementformemberstohaveestablishedinvestigationprocedures,includingforsensitiveandspecialisedinvestigationssuchasallegationsofsexualexploitationandabuse.Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothisareaofpracticeinclude:

• NewandRevisedVerifiersforCI7.3.3.• NewComplianceIndicator7.4.4• NewVerifierfornewCI7.4.4.

6.AddressingGenderandPowerDiscussioninthesectoraboutsexualexploitationandabusehashighlightedthatunequalgenderrelationslieattheheartofsexualexploitationandabuse,andthatthepotentialforthisbehaviourposesathreattowomenandvulnerablepeoplewherevertheyliveorwork.Assexualexploitationissubstantiallyaboutgenderinequalityandabuseofpower,thispromptsustoensurethatanydevelopmentorhumanitarianinitiativeisinformedbyananalysisofpowerdynamicsandissuesofgenderequality,andanassessmentofriskfromaprotectionandsafeguardingperspective,particularlyforhumanitariancontexts.Therecommendedchanges(outlinedinthetablebelow)thatrelatetothisareaofpracticeinclude:

• RevisedVerifiersforCI4.2.1• RevisedVerifiersforCI4.2.2.

TherecommendedchangesareoutlinedinthetablebelowusingtheexistingarchitectureoftheCodeofconductandtheQualityAssuranceFramework.PleasenoteinthetablethatexistingCommitments,ComplianceIndicatorsandVerifiersareinnormalfontwhilerecommendedchangesareboldandunderlined.

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7. RECOMMENDEDCHANGESTOCODE&QAFQualityPrinciples&Commitments ComplianceIndicators Verifiers

1.RIGHTS,PROTECTION&INCLUSION1.1 Werespectandprotecthumanrights.1.2 Werespectandrespondtotheneeds,

rightsandinclusionofthosewhoarevulnerableandthosewhoareaffectedbymarginalisationandexclusion.

1.3 Wesupportpeopleaffectedbycrisis.1.4 Weadvancethesafeguardingof

children.NewCommitment1.5 Weadvancethesafeguardingofthose

whoarevulnerabletosexualexploitationandabuse.

NewCI1.5.1fornewCommitment1.5:Membersdemonstratetheirorganisationalcommitmenttothepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.

NewVerifiersfornewCI1.5.1:• Apreventionofsexualexploitationandabusepolicythatdescribesthestandardofbehaviourfororganisation’sstaff,representativesandpartners,specificallyprohibitingsexualexploitationandabuse;andoutlineshowthepolicyisimplementedthroughouttheorganisation.

• Appointmentofapreventionofsexualexploitationandabusefocalperson.

2.PARTICIPATION,EMPOWERMENT&LOCALOWNERSHIP

Nochanges

3.SUSTAINABLECHANGE Nochanges

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4.QUALITYANDEFFECTIVENESS4.1 Wearticulateclearstrategicgoalsfor

ourwork.4.2 Weanalyseandunderstandthecontexts

inwhichwework.4.3 Weinvestinthequalityassessmentof

ourwork.4.4 Wereflecton,shareandapplyresults

andlessonswithstakeholders.

CurrentCI4.2.1Members’planningandpracticeareinformedbyanalysisofcontext,evidenceandresearch,andinclusionoftheperspectivesandknowledgeofprimarystakeholders.

RevisedVerifiersforCI4.2.1• Designorplanningframework,tools,templateswhichrequireorapproacheswhichconsistentlyshowcontextandstakeholderanalysis,includingtheconsiderationoftheperspectivesandknowledgeofprimarystakeholdersandanalysisofpowerdynamicsandissuesofgenderequality.

• Appraisal/selectionprocessthatrequiresdesignstoincludesystematicconsiderationofcontextandstakeholderanalysis,evidenceandresearch,andtheperspectivesandknowledgeofprimarystakeholdersincludinganalysisofpowerdynamicsandissuesofgenderequality.�

CurrentCI4.2.2Membersassessandmanageriskintheirdevelopmentandhumanitarianinitiatives.

RevisedVerifierforCI4.2.2• Ariskframework,riskmanagementplanorapproacheswhichassessandaddressrisksforinitiatives,includingfromaprotection/safeguardingperspective.

5.COLLABORATION5.1 Werespectandunderstandthosewith

whomwecollaborate.5.2 Wehaveasharedunderstandingof

respectivecontributions,expectations,responsibilitiesandaccountabilitiesofallparties.

5.3 Weinvestintheeffectivenessofourcollaborationsandpartnerships.

CurrentCI5.1.2:Membersundertakeduediligenceandcapacityassessmentsoforganisationswithwhomtheyworkinformalpartnerships.

RevisedVerifierforCI5.1.2:Adocumentedassessmentprocessthatincludes:• AlignmentwithMembers’valuesandobjectives.�• Governanceandlegalregistration.• Financialsystems�• Referencechecksofpartnersagainstprohibitedentitieslistings.• Capacityassessmentforimplementationofkeysafeguardingandriskpolicies(egchild

protectionandpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse).

CurrentCI5.2.1:Membersnegotiatesharedgoalsandrespectivecontributionswithpartnersandthosetheycollaboratewith.

RevisedVerifierforCI5.2.1:Forformalpartnerships,partnershipagreementtemplateorexamplesofpartnershipagreementsthatconsistentlydescribe:• Valueandcontributionofeachparty.�• Sharedgoals,rolesandresponsibilitiesofallparties.�• Financialandnon-financialresourcesandsupportofferedbyandrequired�ofeach

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party.• Disputeresolutionprocess.• Mutualaccountabilitiesforreporting,sharinginformationandcommunication.• Asharedcommitmenttochildprotection,thepreventionofsexualexploitationand

abuseandseriousincidentreporting.

6.COMMUNICATION Nochanges

7.GOVERNANCE7.1 Wearenot-for-profitandformedfora

definedpublicbenefit.7.2 Wemeetourlegalandcompliance

obligations.7.3 Weareaccountabletoourstakeholders.7.4 Wehaveresponsibleandindependent

governancemechanisms.

CurrentCI7.3.3:Membersenablestakeholderstomakecomplaintstotheorganisationinasafeandconfidentialmanner.

RevisedVerifierforCI7.3.3:Adocumentedcomplaints-handlingpolicythat:• Isreadilyaccessibleontheorganisation’swebsite.�• ProvidesasafeanddiscretepointofcontactforstakeholdersinAustraliaandcountries

whereworkisconducted,toraiseconcernsorcomplaintsabouttheorganisation.• Isresponsiveandfair.�• Providesinformationtoallstakeholders,includingtoMembersofthecommunities

whereactivitiesareimplemented,aboutthereportingandcomplaintsprocedure.• Providesinformationinaclearandeasilyunderstandablemannerinappropriateforms

andthroughappropriatemedia.• Ensuresthatrequirementsforfilingacomplainttakeintoconsiderationtheneedsof

themostvulnerableandconsidersminorityanddisadvantagedstakeholders.• Advisesacomplainantoftheabilitytomakeacomplaintregardinganallegedbreach

oftheCodetotheACFIDCodeofConductCommittee.• Providesinformationonhowstaffandvolunteersareequippedtounderstandand

implementthepolicy.• Includesaprocessforreviewingandanalysingcomplaintinformationwithinthe

organisation.• Primarystakeholderinputintothedesignofcomplaintsmechanisms• Outlinesatriagesystemforescalatingseriousincidentsincludingchildprotection

andsexualexploitationandabuse.• Outlinesareferralprocessforcomplaintsthatdonotfallwithinthescopeofthe

policy.(e.g.Complaintsthatdonotfallwithinthescopeofthepolicywouldinclude,for

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example,complaintsagainstanemployeeofanotherorganisationorgovernmentdepartment.)

• Commitstoprovidingassistancetovictims.(e.g.Providingassistancetovictimsmightincludecounselling,protection,medical,social,legalandfinancialassistance.)

NewVerifierforCI7.3.3:Adocumentedinvestigationoperatingprocedures,includingforsensitiveinvestigationssuchasallegationsofsexualexploitationandabuse.

CurrentCI7.3.4Membersmakeinformationabouttheirorganisationanditsworkavailabletoallstakeholders.

RevisedVerifierforCI7.3.4:Memberswillprovidethefollowinginformationontheirwebsite:• Informationonitsgovernance:structure,responsiblepersonsandorganisational

contactinformation�• ABN�• Informationontheirwork,includingkeyprojectsorprograms�• Informationonpartnersandtheirroles�• AstatementofcommitmenttoadherencetotheCode�• Thescopeforandmechanism/processforlodgingacomplaintagainstthe

organisation,andapointofcontact�• IdentificationoftheabilitytolodgeacomplaintallegingabreachoftheCodewiththe

ACFIDCodeofConductCommittee,andapointofcontact�• AnAnnualReportincludingtheACFID-Code-compliantfinancialstatementinlinewith

ACFIDrequirements(asoutlinedin8.3.1and8.3.2)• StaffCodeofConduct(orequivalent)• Keypoliciesrelevanttothepublicincludingbutnotlimitedto,privacy,complaints,

transparencynon-developmentactivity,childprotection,preventionofsexualexploitationandabuse,andconflictofinterest.�

NewverifierforCI7.3.4:• Informationisprovidedtocommunitiesontheexpectedbehaviourofthe

organisation’sstaffandlocalcomplaintsmechanismstobeusedifthese

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commitmentsarenotmet.

NewCI7.4.4:Membersgoverningbodyrespondsappropriatelytoseriousincidentsinaccordancewiththeirmandateandresponsibilities.

NewVerifierfornewCI7.4.4:• Documentedprotocolsforthereportingofseriousincidentstothegoverningbody.

8.RESOURCEMANAGEMENT Nochanges

9.PEOPLEANDCULTURE9.1 Wehavethehumanresourcecapacity

andcapabilitytodeliverourwork.9.2 Weprotect,valueandsupportour

people.9.3 Wemanageourpeopleeffectivelyand

fairly.9.4 Weenableourpeopletoconduct

themselvesprofessionallyandaccordingtoourstatedvalues.

CurrentCI9.3.1:Membersarefair,transparentandnon-discriminatoryintheirmanagementofstaffandvolunteers.

RevisedVerifierforCI9.3.1:Humanresourcepoliciesandprocedureswhichaddress:• Recruitmentandselection• Remunerationandbenefits• Equityanddiversity.• Stafflearninganddevelopment.• Performancemanagement• Familyandcarerleaveprovisions.• Conductintheworkplace.• Integrity(includingconfidentialityandconflictofinterest).• Grievanceanddisciplinaryprocedures.• Workplacehealthandsafety.• referencecheckingandvettingforformermisconductforallstaff,includinglocal

staffandsurgestaff.

CurrentCI9.3.3Membersmanagetheperformanceandgrievancesoftheirstaffandvolunteers

NewVerifiersforCI9.3.3:• PerformancemanagementprocessforstaffincludeadherencetotheirstaffcodeofconductandotherCodesandStandardsasrelevanttotheirroles.

• HRpoliciesclearlydefinewhatconstitutesstaffmisconductandoutlineconsequences

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inafairandtransparentmanner.

ofstaffmisconduct,includinggroundsforterminationofemployment.

CurrentCI9.4.1Membersspecifytheexpectationofprofessionalconductofallstaffandvolunteers.

RevisedVerifierforCI9.4.1:• Adocumentedcodeofconductthatspecifiesthevaluesandexpectationsofprofessionalconductofallstaffandvolunteers.Thismustincludereferencetochildsafeguardingbehaviours,preventionofsexualexploitationandabuse,anti-bullyingandsexualharassment;andanobligationonstafftoreportwrongdoing.

CurrentCI9.4.2Members’staffandvolunteersworkinaccordancewithagreedstandardsofpractice.

NewVerifierforCI9.4.2:• DocumentedevidenceofinductionandrefreshertrainingprovidedtoallstaffontheMembers’staffcodeofconductandkeypoliciesincludingchildprotection,preventionofsexualexploitationandabuse,complaintsandwhistleblowing,includingsurgestaff.

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8. ANNEX1:INTERNATIONALSTANDARDS

AsnotedintheIntroduction,thesectorhasnotsatidlesincereportsofsexualexploitation

andabusebegantoemergein2002.MuchefforthasbeenmadebytheUN,NGOs,

governmentdonorsandNGOrepresentativebodiesthroughresearchandreflectionandthe

developmentofstandardsandgoodpracticestopreventandprotectprimarybeneficiaries

andaidworkersfromsexualexploitationandabuse.Thefollowingcommentaryoutlinesthe

keyinitiativeswhichhaveoccurredsince2002andarecurrentlyguidingeffortstowards

preventingsexualexploitationandabuse.

Inter-AgencyStandingCommitteeTaskForceonProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuseTheInterAgencyStandingCommittee(IASC)TaskForceonProtectionfromSexual

ExploitationandAbuse(PSEA)inHumanitarianCrises,composedofanumberofUNand

non-governmententitieswasestablishedinMarch2002.TheIASCTaskForceadvisedthe

UNonspecificmeasures,developedagreeddefinitionsofsexualexploitationandsexual

abuse,providedguidelinesforinvestigationsandadoptedsixstandardsofbehaviourtobe

includedinUNandNGOcodesofconduct.

SincethistimetheIASChaspublishedanumberofkeystandardsdocumentsforusebyUN

andNGOpersonnel.TheIASCTaskForceonPSEAbyhumanitarianworkerswasestablished

inJanuary2012andtheIASCTaskForceonAccountabilitytoAffectedPopulationswas

createdinJuly2012.TheIASCMinimumOperatingStandards–PSEAwerepublishedin

January2012andarestillconsideredtheprincipalreferencedocumentinternationallyfor

standardsregardingpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.

TheIASCMinimumOperatingStandards–PSEAarebasedon:

• TheStatementofCommitmentonEliminatingSexualExploitationandAbusebyUN

andNon-UNPersonnel,August2008

• TheGlobalReviewofprotectionfromSexualExploitationandAbusebyUN,NGO,

IOMandIFRCPersonnel,July2010

• IASCSixCorePrinciplesRelatingtoSexualExploitationandAbuse,June2002.�

BuildingSaferOrganisationsInitiativeIn2004NGOentitiesscrutinisedtheirresponsestocomplaintsagainststaffandlaunchedan

initiativeknownas‘BuildingSaferOrganisations’(BSO).ThemainpurposeofBSOwasto

developthecapacityofNGOstoreceiveandinvestigateallegationsofsexualexploitation

andabusebroughtbypersonsofconcern.ThemainactivitiesofBSOweretodevelop

materialsanddelivertrainingoninvestigatingcasesofsexualexploitationandabuse.

BSOwasoriginallyhostedbytheICVA,butmovedtotheHumanitarianAccountability

Partnership(HAP)InternationalwhenitmergedwiththeorganisationPeopleinAidin2015.

TheneworganisationformedfromthismergerisknownastheCHSAlliance.

TheCoreHumanitarianStandardandtheCHSAllianceThe‘CoreHumanitarianStandardonQualityandAccountability’isavoluntarystandard

whichseekstoassuretheeffectivenessandimpactofassistancetopeopleandcommunities

vulnerabletoriskandaffectedbydisaster,conflictorpoverty.

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Protectionfromsexualharassment,exploitationandabuseofaffectedpopulationsandstaff

isdirectlyorindirectlyreferredtointheCHSinthefollowingcommitments:

• KeyAction3.6:identifyandactuponpotentialoractualunwantednegativeeffects

inatimelyandsystematicmanner,includingareasof...sexualexploitationand

abusebystaff.

• OrganisationalResponsibility5.6:Communitiesandpeopleaffectedbycrisisare

fullyawareoftheexpectedbehaviourofhumanitarianstaff,includingorganisational

commitmentsmadeonthepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.

• OrganisationalResponsibility8.7:codeofconductbeinplace,whichestablishes,at

aminimum,theobligationofstaffnottoexploit,abuseorotherwisediscriminate

againstpeople.

• OrganisationalResponsibility8.2:staffadheretothepoliciesthatarerelevantto

themandunderstandtheconsequencesofnotadheringtothem.

TheCHSAllianceistheguardianoftheCHS.Itisaglobalbodywithamembershipofmore

than240organisationswhoareheadquarteredin55capitalsandoperatinginmorethan

160countriesworldwide.

HumanitarianQualityAssuranceInitiativeInthewakeofthecurrentcrisis,organisationsandpolicy-makersalikehavecalledfor

independentmechanismsandcontrolbodiestoassurestakeholdersthathumanitarian

organisationshavethemechanismsinplacetoavoid,detect,remedyandcommunicate

casesofsexualharassment,exploitationandabuse.Oneoftheexistingmechanismswhichis

doingsoistheHumanitarianQualityAssuranceInitiative(HQAI),anindependent

organisationthatprovidesaverificationservicefororganisationsseekingtodemonstrate

theirapplicationoftheCHS.

InaccordancewithBSO,HAPandthenCHS,manyinternationalNGOsdevelopedpolicies

andsystemsthatreflectedtheircommitmenttothepreventionandresponsetosexual

harassmentandexploitationintheworkplace.Thisincludedcomplaintsmechanisms,staff

codesofconductthataddressedsexualharassmentandsexualexploitationandabuse,and

policiestopromoteaccountabilityofstafftowardsprogrammeparticipantcommunities

regardingharassmentandexploitationandabuse.17organisationsarecurrentlycertifiedas

fullymeetingtheCHSbyHQAI.

InterActionStandardsInterActionistheUSbasedallianceorganisationrepresenting180developmentand

humanitarianNGOs.InterActionmemberorganisationsmustbecompliantwith

InterAction’sPrivateVoluntaryOrganisation(PVO)Standards,whichexplicitlyaddresssexual

exploitationandabuse.Between2010to2013,InterActiondevelopedpreventionofsexual

exploitationabuserelatedtrainingcurriculaandofferedworkshops.Thishas

includedresourcestoassistInterActionmemberorganisationsindevelopingand

implementingpoliciestopreventandrespondtosexualexploitationandabuse,andthree

onlinelearningcoursesonsexualexploitationandabuse.

ACTAllianceACTAlliancemembers,togetherwiththeirpartners,supportorimplementhumanitarian,

developmentandadvocacyprogrammesinmorethan120countriesaroundtheworld.

ThemanagementofeveryACTmemberorganisationandtheACTSecretariathavea

responsibilitytoensurethatallstaffareawareofthisCodeofConduct,thatthey

understandwhatitmeansinconcretebehaviouraltermsandhowitappliestotheir

20

programmecontext.DisseminationofthisCodeofConductissupportedbyACTguidance

andpolicydocuments,namely,theACTAllianceGuidelinesforthePreventionofSexual

ExploitationandAbuse,ACTChildSafeguardingPolicyandPolicyGuidanceDocumentand

theACTAllianceGuidelinesforComplaintsHandlingandInvestigations.TheCodeof

ConductappliestoalltheworkperformedbyallmembersoftheACTAllianceanddefines

requiredbehaviourofstaff.

TheACFIDCodeofConductTheACFIDCodeofConductandtheQualityAssuranceFrameworksetshighquality

standardsforACFIDmembers,whichaddressesbothdevelopmentandhumanitarianwork.

Italreadyhasgoodcoverageofhumanrights,accountabilityandsocialsafeguards,including

childprotection.However,theCodeofConductdoesnotcurrentlyincludespecific

statementsrelatedtothepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.Thisisanareain

whichtheACFIDCodeofConductcouldbemoreexplicitanditsgoodpracticeresources

strengthened.

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9. ANNEX2:GOODPRACTICERESOURCES

PreventionofSexualExploitationandAbuseTaskforceOnthissiteyoucanexplorethesubjectofprotectionfromsexualexploitationandabuseby

personneloftheUN,NGOsandotherinternationalorganisations.Thesiteincludesguidance

tohelpyoutoperformyourdutiesrelatedpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseas

staffmember,preventionofsexualexploitationandabusefocalpointorseniormanager.It

offersrelevanttoolsandresources,andithasahelpdesklink.

http://www.preventionofsexualexploitationandabusetaskforce.org/

CHS-AlliancepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseresourcesAllCHSAlliancemembersarerequiredtoreportontheimplementationandmonitoringof

theircodeofconductandtheirotherworkonpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuse.

Thesiteoffersadviceandguidanceonpreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseaswellas

capacitybuildingandlearningopportunities.

https://www.chsalliance.org/what-we-do/preventionofsexualexploitationandabuse

IASCTaskTeamonAccountabilitytoAffectedPopulationsandProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuse(AAP/PSEA)TheIASCTaskTeamonAAPandPSEAhascollectedawiderangeofresourcesincluding

translationsofthepreventionofsexualexploitationandabuseprinciplesinover50

languages.

IASC-TT-Resources

BuildingSaferOrganisations2007,Handbook;Trainingmaterialsonreceivingand

investigatingallegationsofabuseandexploitationbyhumanitarianworkers.ICVA

http://www.hapinternational.org/projects/complaints-handling/building-safer-

organizations.aspx

CARECanada(2016)PreventionofSexualExploitationandAbuse-2DayWorkshopManualhttp://gender.care2share.wikispaces.net/file/detail/preventionofsexualexploitationand

abuse-2%20day%20workshop%20manual-english.pdf

UnitedNationsOfficefortheCoordinationofHumanitarianAffairs.Protectionfromsexualexploitationandabuse.http://www.unocha.org/HumanitarianIssues/ProtectionfromSexualExploitationandAbuse/ta

bid/1204/Default.aspx

InterActionPreventionofSexualExploitationandAbuseToolsInterActionconvenesasexualexploitationandabuseWorkingGroup(WG)whichmeetsbi-

monthly.Italsohasaseriesofguidancetools,includingon-linetraining,tohelp

organizationsdevelopandimplementpoliciestopreventandrespondtosexualexploitation

andabuse.

https://www.interaction.org/work/sea