Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH)
We all have a part to play in protecting those affected by crisis from exploitation, abuse and harassment. The nature of humanitarian and development work means that staff are often in positions of power while helping highly vulnerable people and communities. Employees in the sector must also be able to work in a safe, harassment-free environment.
As an alliance of more than 150 aid organisations, we are committed to tackling all forms of mistreatment, wherever they occur. Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is woven throughout all Nine Commitments of the Core Humanitarian Standard.
Our members are at the forefront of efforts to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. One way that we are leading these efforts is through the CHS Alliance PSEAH Contact Group. The Contact Group is made up of Alliance members who share insights and information on PSEAH and provide input into the development of materials on the issue.
For more information on the Contact Group, please email Miranda Brown.
CHS Alliance services at a glance
The CHS Alliance helps its members and others fulfil these commitments with:
Resources, guidance, tools and advice, including:
- A PSEA Implementation Quick Reference Handbook
- Shared resources on safeguarding procedures and practice
- Guidelines for investigations in English, French, Spanish and Arabic
Learning and capacity sharing opportunities, such as:
- An investigations learning programme, with training courses on complaints and response mechanisms, investigations (at introductory and follow-up levels), and PSEA and investigations for managers. See our current year’s programme of workshops, and register via our events page.
- The CHS Alliance Approved Trainers Scheme, with a pool of independent consultants who can be contracted by any agency to undertake training on PSEA and investigations.
Have you been a victim of sexual abuse, exploitation or harassment by an employee of one of our member organisations? Please see our complaints mechanism here.
Contact our PSEAH Manager, Miranda Brown, for more information and advice on PSEAH.
“I was a whistle blower who reported child sexual abuse. Exploitation, abuse and harassment has not gone away. We at the Alliance are working with our members and other experts across the sector to ensure organisations have the best systems in place to protect people from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. It is vital that survivors, victims, whistleblowers and witnesses are protected and supported.”