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IOM’s mandate spans the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. Its global workforce (18,934 staff and over 5,600 affiliated staff¹), many of whom directly provide services and assistance to migrants and host communities, operate in 590 offices across 171 countries, and represent a significant proportion of the United Nations' (UN) operational footprint.

Sexual misconduct by aid workers is a grave violation of individual rights and directly contradicts the principles upon which humanitarian action is based. It harms the people we are obligated to protect and jeopardizes the credibility of our assistance work.

Even one incident of sexual misconduct can undermine the work of the entire humanitarian community. The abuse and exploitation of beneficiaries is a global concern, one that the entire humanitarian community – including IOM – has committed to fight. This commitment requires all staff, related personnel and partners to be involved and take action to protect those we are meant to serve.

As the first ever Inter-agency Standing Committee (IASC) Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Champion, IOM has been a leader in addressing collective PSEA action since 2011. During the same time period, it also strengthened its internal approach to not only Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse but also Protection from Sexual Harassment (PSEAH) and in 2022 a dedicated PSEAH Unit was established within the Office of the Director General (now called the Executive Office).

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How does IOM engage on PSEAH at the global and field levels?

IOM is part of the UN and IASC systems, actively working on PSEAH. At the field (or country) level, IOM participates in both the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), both of which prioritize PSEAH, and where an inter-agency PSEA Network or Task Force exists, IOM should be an active member. Within the field, IOM has two roles: a) internal IOM action; and b) collective action.²

What does PSEAH mean in IOM?

PSEAH remains a key priority at the highest level within IOM and the Organization has continually demonstrated over the past decade, its strong commitment to addressing PSEAH both internally and collectively through the IASC and the UN system.

IOM’s PSEAH approach focuses on five strategic pillars and nine operational areas.

Translating policy into practice is the driving force behind IOM’s PSEAH strategic approach and in 2022, the IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist was launched globally to provide IOM staff, at all levels, with practical actions and guidance to strengthen PSEAH efforts within IOM offices, programmes and projects, as well as amongst partners, communities, and affected individuals. The Toolkit covers each of the nine operational areas outlined above, providing concrete actions, tips and tools, best practices and useful resources. 

What is the difference between Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment?

In summary:

• Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse links primarily to acts of SEA committed by IOM (or partners) staff against beneficiaries or the affected population
• Sexual Harassment links primarily to acts commitment by staff against other staff

The below chart shows the differences, including who, what, reporting requirement, as well as examples of the different types of behaviors for each category of sexual misconduct – whether it is sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment.

IOM staff members engaged in emergency and humanitarian operations are often in close or direct contact with some of the most vulnerable populations, and therefore should be particularly aware of IOM’s Standards of Conduct (IN/15 Rev. 1) and IOM’s PSEA Policy (IN/234). In addition to IOM’s Standards of Conduct, sexual harassment is also covered under the Policy for a Respectful Working Environment: Addressing i) discrimination; ii) harassment, including sexual harassment; and iii) abuse of authority (IN/90 Rev. 1).

It is important to highlight that the focus within the IOM Emergency Manual is primarily on PSEA rather than Sexual Harassment. For more information on Sexual Harassment, please contact the IOM PSEAH Unit (PSEA-SH@iom.int).

What are the first steps to take to address PSEA within an emergency?

Embedding PSEA within humanitarian, stabilization and development programming is no longer a choice but a necessity.

Refer to these simple PSEA “start-up” actions to know where to begin. Please note that the below list is not exhaustive. It is not meant to provide information on all the required PSEA actions. For more information, visit the IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist.

STEP 2: PSEA LEDERSHIP - MESSAGING ON PSEA: THE TONE STARTS FROM THE TOP!

Ensure that CoM/HoO and relevant Emergency Coordinator reinforce the importance of PSEA and embedding within the emergency response, particularly with IOM Project Managers, Project Development Officers, M&E Officers, Sector Leads, Resource Management and other key staff, to reinforce that PSEA is a priority.

This is a key step to ensure that the tone starts from the top!

For more information on being a leader on PSEA, see Section A1: IOM PSEAH Country/Programme Leadership of the IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist.

STEP 3: KNOW HOW TO REPORT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Ensure that all IOM staff and affiliate personnel know where and how to report (allegations of sexual misconduct, even rumors, must be reported immediately).

• Through the weareallin.iom.int reporting platform
• By sending an email to OIGIntake@iom.int 
• By clicking on the yellow Report Misconduct button at the IOM intranet
• For issues related to retaliation, contact the Ethics and Conduct Office (ECO@iom.int)
• For counselling or staff welfare issues related to IOM staff, contact the Staff Welfare Office (SWO@iom.int)

Senior leadership must continue to remind all IOM staff of their reporting obligation (even rumors!) during meetings, through emails, through audio and visual materials, and at other opportunities.

Important points linked to reporting!

• Do not do any fact-finding or investigations. Your role is to report!
• At the same time the report is made, ensure that the victim has access to assistance. Do not wait for the outcome of an investigation to link the victim to assistance services. See Step 7: Victim Assistance Referral Pathways (where to refer victims for assistance) and Step 8: What do if someone reports a case of sexual misconduct to you below on how to do this safely and carefully.

For more information on reporting misconduct in IOM, see Section A4: Reporting Incidents of Sexual Misconduct within IOM within the IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist.

STEP 4: IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON PSEA FOR NEW IOM STAFF AND THOSE ON SHORT TERM ASSIGNMENTS (STA) OR TRAVEL ON DUTY (TDY)

Using the IOM template, available on Annex K: Welcome to IOM – PSEA Information Sheet within the IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist, amend with country information and distribute to all IOM staff, those on TDY or STA so they are informed on PSEA, prohibited behaviors, how to enroll in the IOM PSEA trainings, and where to report allegations (including rumors) of sexual misconduct.

For more information on communicating with staff, please contact PSEA-SH@iom.int.

STEP 6: IOM'S MANDATORY PSEA TRAINING AND HOW TO ENROL

Review PSEA training completion and compliance rates amongst staff or affiliate personnel. The below PSEA trainings are mandatory within IOM:

• IOM PSEA training (face-to-face or webinar): must be taken every three years.
• IOM PSEA micro-modules (online): must be taken every year.

Implementing partner staff, third party contracted staff, consultants, interns, UNVs should also be included in IOM PSEA training. Links are available below.

For more information on IOM PSEA trainings, consult Section A3: Building PSEAH Capacity of IOM Staff and Related Personnel or contact PSEA-SH@iom.int. You can also access more information on IOM mandatory PSEA trainings on I-Learn (for internal IOM staff) or E-Campus (for externals).

To receive an updated list of staff, consultants, interns and other personnel who have completed (or not completed) the PSEA mandatory training, contact PSEA-SH@iom.int.

STEP 7: VICTIM ASSISTANCE REFERRAL PATHWAYS (WHERE TO REFER VICTIMS FOR ASSISTANCE)

Obtain a copy of the Victim Assistance pathway (to know where to refer victims of SEA for assistance services) if one has been developed within country by reaching out to a GBV or protection practitioner within IOM or through the Gender-based Violence (GBV) cluster/working group.

When linking victims of sexual exploitation and abuse with assistance services, a person experienced in GBV preferably, or Child Protection, Protection or PSEA should be involved. Do not provide the victim with assistance on your own unless you are an experienced GBV expert or qualified Protection or PSEA staff. Engaging with a victim in a way that prioritizes rights, needs, wishes and dignity; protects from retaliation, traumatization and discrimination; and keeps them informed and supported is central to a victim-centered approach.

If there are no specialized services available in your area, plan in advance with GBV, Child Protection and interagency PSEA Network specialists how survivors will be connected to services elsewhere or supported through remote services. Consider whether IOM programming, or the programming of other organizations, could meet any of the survivor’s immediate basic needs and agree upon procedures for referral.

Where no Victim Assistance pathway exists or for more information on victim assistance, visit Section B4: Ensuring access of quality victim assistance (cases of SEA) of the IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist or contact PSEA-SH@iom.int or IOM’s GBV Unit GBVsupport@iom.int. See also I Have the Right, a UN System-wide Training Module on the Rights and Dignity of Victims of SEAH, which IOM helped develop.

Consider whether IOM programming, or the programming of other organizations, could meet any of the survivor’s immediate basic needs and agree upon procedures for referral. Where no Victim Assistance pathway exists or for more information on victim assistance, visit Section B4: Ensuring access of quality victim assistance (cases of SEA) of the IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist or contact PSEA-SH@iom.int or IOM’s GBV Unit GBVsupport@iom.int. See also I Have the Right, a UN System-wide Training Module on the Rights and Dignity of Victims of SEAH, which IOM helped develop.

STEP 8: WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE REPORTS A CASE OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT TO YOU

Ensure that all IOM staff, affiliate staff and partners know what to do when a beneficiary or someone from the affected population reports sexual exploitation and abuse to them.

• Referral for victim assistance should occur as soon as possible after a victim comes forward, upon the receipt of a complaint, or when information about SEA becomes known through other means.
• The safety and basic needs of the victim must be prioritized within any SEA response. Check if you are in a safe location. Be prepared. Inform yourself about the services available in your area ahead of time.
• Ask if the survivor consents to sharing their personal identifying information for the report. Explain that this information will be shared confidentially with investigators so that the organization can try to prevent this from happening in the future. Tell them they are not obliged to participate in the investigation if they don’t want to. If they choose to be involved in the investigation, they can withdraw their participation at any time.
• Confirm that they are entitled to assistance, whether or not they decide to cooperate with an investigation. For children too young to understand, this information should be shared with their parent(s), legal guardian or primary caregiver (except when engaging with parent(s) or guardian would put the child at risk).  
• Immediately report IOM’s Office of Inspector General through the IOM We Are All In platform or by sending an email to OIGIntake@iom.int. There is an obligation to report all SEA allegations, even rumors, in good faith.    
• At the same time a report is made, ensure that the victim has access to assistance. Do not wait for the outcome of an investigation to link the victim to assistance services!

Here are some useful videos to help you get started on understanding a victim’s perspective and IOM’s role in the process.

• Victim’s Perspective video - Under the Surface - EN, ES, FR
• Duty of Care video - Do No Harm - EN, ES, FR
• I Have the Right, a UN System-wide Training Module on the Rights and Dignity of Victims of SEAH.

For more information, see Box E: How should I respond to disclosures of an SEA Incident in the Field? and Section B4: Ensuring access of Quality Victim Assistance (cases of SEA) and Section A4: Reporting Incidents of Sexual Misconduct within IOM of the IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist.

STEP 10: EMBED PSEA IN PROPOSALS AND BUDGETS

Ensure that PSEA is part and parcel of any project being developed and budgeted accordingly (both PSEA dedicated staff should be included in budgets, as well as PSEA operational costs to be able to deliver on PSEA) Examples of IOM Concept Notes and Proposals that include PSEA can be found here:

• ANNEX E - IOM PSEA Proposal Ideas
• ANNEX H1 - IOM Concept Note on PSEA, Example 1
• ANNEX H2 - Mainstreaming PSEA, proposal, Example 2
• ANNEX H3 - Mainstreaming PSEA, Proposal, Example 3
• ANNEX H4 - Mainstreaming PSEA, Proposal, Example 4

For more information on embedding PSEA in programming, as well as examples, please click on Section A5: Embedding PSEA within the Programme/Project Cycle of the IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist.

For more information on embedding PSEA within programming and budgets, contact PSEA-SH@iom.int.

STEP 12: ESTABLISH AND STRENGTHEN COMPLAINT CHANNELS FOR BENEFICARIES TO REPORT

Ensure that beneficiaries and affected populations have access to safe and effective reporting channels and know how to report SEA. Beneficiaries and the affected populations need a way to report!

For information on establishing reporting channels within IOM projects/programmes, visit Section B3: SECTION B30 Establishing and Strengthening Complaints and Feedback Channels or Section B3 of IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist or contact IOM’s Accountability to Affected Populations Unit (AAP@iom.int). Alternatively, contact the IOM PSEAH Unit (PSEA-SH@iom.int).

For more information of the role of the IASC in supporting collective action on PSEA, visit the collective IASC PSEA page here or contact PSEA-CBCM@iom.int. 

STEP 14: HOW TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF PARTNERS ON PSEA 

Ensure the capacity of PSEA within implementing partners is strengthened and built into project proposals and budgets.

Here are a few tools to get you started:

• 1a - IOM - Partner PSEA Capacity Assessment: to conduct a partner PSEA capacity assessment an identify gaps.
• 1b - IOM - Partner PSEA Capacity Development Plan: used to develop a capacity workplan to strengthen the partner.
• 1c - Partner "Code of Conduct" template: can be adapted and used by partners.

For more information and ideas on strengthening PSEA within implementing partners, see Section B1: Working with Implementing Partners, Government Partners and Other Service Providers of the IOM PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist. 

Contacts

For more information on PSEAH, contact: psea-sh@iom.int

For more information on reporting, contact the Office of the Inspector General (OIG): oigintake@iom.int

For more information on retaliation, contact the Ethics and Conduct Office (ECO): eco@iom.int

For staff welfare support, contact the Staff Welfare Office (SWO): swo@iom.int

For more on inter-agency PSEA, contact: PSEA-CBCM@iom.int

For the link to IOM's PSEAH Toolkit and Checklist, contact: psea-sh@iom.int