Advocacy for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) involves raising awareness, promoting victim rights, and reporting and responding to allegations. PSEA is a key principle in the United Nations’ (UN) emergency response and is prohibited for UN personnel and partners. 

Advocacy methods

• Raising awareness Educate communities and member states about victims’ rights and how to report sexual exploitation and abuse 

Promoting victim rights

Centering responses around victims and ensuring they receive support and assistance 

Reporting and responding

Ensuring allegations are reported and responded to in a timely and appropriate manner 

Creating an environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse

Working with partners, communities, and member states to create an inclusive and effective approach 

PSEA in practice

• The UN has a Special Coordinator for Improving the UN’s Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse 

The UNCT entities prioritize PSEA and require a similar commitment from their partners  The IASC has an initiative called PSEACap that deploys PSEA coordinators to high-risk contexts  The WFP has policies and practices to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse 

PSEA pillars

The four pillars of PSEA are: Management and coordination, Community engagement and support, Prevention, and Response.