“Before this support was provided to me, I had no source of income and was always depending on others. Now, I am able to gain my own source of income which builds my confidence in feeding my children and covering my other costs.”?-- a beneficiary of a Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation project.
According to the?annual report?released this week, just in 2023, the Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation by UN personnel provided funds to eight projects in support of 1642 victims and sexual exploitation and abuse and exposed community members in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Liberia and South Sudan.
Established by the Secretary-General in 2016, the?Trust Fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse?assists victims in peacekeeping, humanitarian, and development settings rebuild their lives and resilience through dedicated assistance and livelihood support.
The projects implemented in 2023 helped empower victims and exposed community members by providing vocational training in sawing, gardening, and pastry making.
They also received starter kits to launch their own small businesses. They were offered specialized services, such as medical care, legal, and psychological support.
In order continue supporting the needs of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, the Trust Fund appeals to Member States for an additional $3 million dollars by the end of 2024.
The Trust Fund receives voluntary contributions from countries as well as from payments withheld from personnel against whom sexual exploitation and abuse allegations have been substantiated. ?
For more information, including how to support the Trust Fund, access the full report.
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