Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced our first-ever Policy on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). Sexual exploitation and abuse of beneficiaries undermines the goals of international development and humanitarian assistance, and runs counter to our core values. This new Policy articulates how we will ensure people have safe access to USAID-funded services and activities.

This Policy underscores USAID's zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, which means our staff must treat every allegation seriously and pursue appropriate action with the implementing partner to resolve it. USAID's PSEA Policy has three objectives: (1) educate and empower our staff; (2) adapt how we do business; and, (3) hold ourselves and our partners accountable. USAID will implement these objectives according to the cross-cutting principles of prioritizing prevention and supporting survivors. USAID developed the Policy through a collaborative process with our staff, implementing partners, and other donors in recognition of the unique responsibility of the international aid sector to address sexual exploitation and abuse proactively.

Volunteers across the Agency who participate in the Action Alliance for Preventing Sexual Misconduct (AAPSM) led and coordinated the development of the PSEA Policy. In 2018, we launched the AAPSM with the goals of promoting a respectful, inclusive, and safe workplace for USAID's employees, and ensuring that USAID-funded programming protects human dignity. The PSEA Policy will complement and reinforce a forthcoming USAID Policy on Internal Workplace Sexual Misconduct. Together, these Policies are a significant step forward in establishing and maintaining a safe work and living environment, free from sexual exploitation and abuse, in which we uphold the safety and dignity of USAID's staff, implementing partners, and beneficiaries.

For more information, please visit: http://www.usaid.gov/PreventingSexualMisconduct.