A) Objectives of the pledge:
To further the Conference theme of ‘Trust in Humanitarian Action’ and our commitment to addressing sexual and gender-based violence,[1], we hereby make a pledge to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harrassment (SEAH)[2] caused by our people, operations and projects. This includes SEAH of persons (adult or child) that come into contact with, or benefit from, our protection or assistance, staff, volunteers and associated personnel.
The risks of SEAH are heightened in humanitarian, fragile or conflict-affected situations. This often results from power imbalances linked to social, age and gender-related inequalities. Most people who have experienced SEAH do not report such violations due to a fear of reprisals, lack of accessibility or trust in reporting mechanisms and/or lack of access to justice and professional assistance. Women, children, people with disabilities and the most vulnerable people in any context are most at risk.
SEAH is unacceptable but can be prevented. We recognise that all forms of abuse and harm can lead to and reinforce opportunities for SEAH to occur. Therefore preventing SEAH requires us to prevent and respond to all forms of abuse and harm caused by our people, operations and projects. We can do this by proactively creating sage and trusted environments, based on integrity and respect, and putting survivor-centred internal and external mechanisms in place for reporting and responding to concerns.
We pledge to focus on four strategic areas to prevent SEAH and to respond better when problems occur [3].
Together we will:
- Promote organisational change and safety through ethical leadership, accountability and human resource processes.
- Provide safe, accessible, survivor-cented reporting channels and tackle impunity.
- Implement good practice based on minimum standards for prevention and response to SEAH.
- Strengthen organisational capacity to prevent and respond to SEAH
We urge all States and National Societies to take action.
[1] 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Resolution 3.
[2] Please refer to the attachment for definitions of SEAH related terminology
[3] These are in line with commitments made by donors, the UN and others to prevent and respond to SEAH in the aid sector, see https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safeguarding-summit-commitments
B) Action plan:
Note: Signatories should refer to the “For whom” column to identify the specific actions expected of them
| Strategic Area | Actions for signatories to the Pledge | For whom |
| Promote organisational change and safety through ethical leadership, accountability and human resource processes. | Supportive partnerships established between States and National Societies for strengthening prevention and response to SEAH e.g. through increased funding and reporting.
Adopt a zero tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment in the staff Code of Conduct, which is implemented with leadership, staff, volunteers and associated personnel[1].
Explore opportunities for signing-up to the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme to prevent the re-hiring of individuals disciplined for SEAH. |
States and National Societies
All Movement actors
All Movement actors |
| Provide safe, accessible, survivor-centred reporting channels and tackle impunity | Establish safe community-based mechanisms for reporting and responding to SEAH concerns. The mechanism should be accessible to all persons (adult or child) who come into contact with, or benefit from, our protection and assistance, and should include referrals to appropriate support services.
Establish internal mechanisms for safe reporting and response to SEAH concerns by staff, volunteers and associated personnel, including referrals to appropriate support services. [Note: This includes IFRC’s overarching complaints mechanism for use by RCRC staff, volunteers and associated personnel]
Ensure prompt and effective investigation and response to reported concerns, including taking disciplinary actions taken against perpetrators. |
All Movement actors
All Movement actors
All Movement actors |
| Implement good practice based on minimum standards for prevention and response to SEAH. | Implement good practice[2] to prevent and respond to SEAH,in accordance with the requirements of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Minimum Operating Standards on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (IASC MOS-PSEA).
|
All Movement actors |
| Strengthen organisational capacity to prevent and respond to SEAH. | Train staff, volunteers and associated personnel to prevent, identify and respond to SEAH.[3]
Strengthen capacity to develop, implement and maintain community-based mechanisms for reporting and responding. |
National Societies, IFRC and ICRC together with any National Societies that they will support |
[1] For example, consultants, contractors, media, visitors and others supporting RCRC work.
[2] With due reference to the Secretary-General’s 2003 Bulletin on special measures for prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse; the July 2019 DAC recommendation on ending SEAH; sector standards e.g. IASC MOS-PSEA, the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS); minimum standards for age and disability inclusion in humanitarian action; national legislation and social care structures; RCRC policies, guidelines and resources.
[3] Guidance, tools and resources will be made available to underpin training and implementation of measures to strengthen prevention and response to SEAH.
C) Indicators for measuring progress:
- Number of National Societies with a policy and/or staff Code of Conduct in place which includes zero tolerance to SEAH.
- Number of National Societies implementing the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
- Number of National Societies with named focal point for prevention and response to SEAH.
- Evidence that internal and external mechanisms for safe reporting and response are: (a) accessible by diverse groups of persons (adult or child) that come into contact with, or benefit from, our protection or assistance, staff, volunteers and associated personnels; and (b) responses and outcomes to reported concerns are documented and tracked.
- Evidence that good practice, at a minimum the IASC MOS-PSEA, is being applied and implemented by RCRC Movement signatories.
- Percentage of staff, volunteers and associated personnel who have undergone basic training in staff Code of Conduct and prevention and response to SEAH.
D) Resource implications:
- Named organisational focal point for prevention and response to SEAH.
- Cross-organisational task force e.g. including leadership, governance, HR, services, programmes.
- Adequate resources (funds and advisors) to integrate minimum standards for prevention and response to SEAH into all our work (domestically and internationally).
Pledge-on-prevention-and-response-to-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse-definitions.docx
