Actions taken:
A zero tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment is adopted in the staff Code of Conduct, which is implemented with leadership, staff, volunteers and international delegates. This includes the obligation to immediately report incidents to the supervisor or respectively the ombudsperson. Incidents shall be investigated promptly in order to resolve the matter and introduce appropriate consequences.
Furthermore, a safeguarding concept note was developed including the following topics:
• PSEA Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
• PSEAH
• Child protection
• Environmental/Climate Change Requirements
• Human Rights and Social Standards
• Community Health, Safety and Working Conditions
Train staff, volunteers and associated personnel to prevent, identify and respond to SEAH:
In terms of training and capacity building, a first step to enhance awareness and knowledge about the topic was taken in spring 2024: Together with the PGI experts from the IFRC Regional Office in Budapest, Austrian Red Cross hosted PGI basic training and a ToT workshop. 24 staff members and volunteers participated.
With the Ministry of Social Affairs, a network was started with the aim to address harassment issues in the organization and in the broader social system. A safeguarding concept note was developed.
The Youth Red Cross is leading on a process with the aim to create more awareness among the volunteers of the Austrian RC.