Implementation Considerations for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

Speeches Shim

Organization/Internal Controls
  • Is there a strong system of internal controls, including:
    • Creation and publication of a PSEA code of conduct, and
    • Strategies for (1) awareness of stakeholders; (2) sub-awardee PSEA compliance; and (3) how SEA is prevented, detected, addressed, and resolved.
  • How are the prohibitions and policies made clear, enforceable, valued, and comprehensive?
  • How are PSEA and other safeguarding protections integrated into programming, compliance, and human-resources processes?
  • Have there been efforts to build staff capacity if the organization is new, or working with new or small partners?
Risk Assessment
  • How is the project risk assessment specific and relevant to the country, region, and program?
  • What role do various factors have in SEA risks, including:
    • Conflict and disaster response,
    • Gender inequality and vulnerable populations,
    • Power imbalances and perceptions of authority,
    • Personnel deployment and remote locations,
    • Type and method of service provision,
      • For example: does it involve individual interactions?
    • Sub-awardees capacity,
    • Others.
  • How have the risk assessment findings been addressed in the program design and plans for action and monitoring?
Empowerment & Feedback
  • What mechanisms are in place to provide PSEA information and receive beneficiary feedback? Are these two-way conversations?
  • How are these mechanisms safe, confidential, and accessible?
  • How are beneficiaries empowered to report?
    • For example: are they aware of PSEA Codes of Conduct?
  • How is beneficiary feedback incorporated into PSEA implementation?
Plan & Prevent
  • How and how often are staff, volunteers and beneficiaries sensitized/trained?
  • Is there a focal point in the country/regional office for PSEA?
  • What procedures on recruitment, screening, training, deployment, management, and performance include PSEA?
  • How are protections tailored to the risk environment?
Detect
  • How are SEA violations reported and referred internally and externally?
  • Is there mandatory reporting and multiple channels to report?
  • Are the reporting mechanisms tailored and accessible?
    • For example: comprehensive anonymous staff surveys, app-based reporting systems.
  • What routine efforts are taken to monitor for SEA in the field?
Address & Resolve
  • How are critical protection issues responded to?
  • How has the survivor been placed at the center of the process? What resources are available to them?
  • What are the reporting, investigation, and adjudicative procedures, and how are they safe, confidential, comprehensive, protective, compassionate, and fair?
  • How is senior management involved?
  • Are these procedures unbiased and performed by qualified individuals?
  • Is the response timely and consistent?
  • What are the mechanisms for due process & appropriate accountability?
  • How is the organization transparent on employment procedures?
  • How are the statuses of cases tracked?

This resource provides a one-page primer of suggested implementation ideas and is not exhaustive. Please consult with additional toolkit resources provided here.