Prevention
Prevention lies at the core of the UN strategy to combat sexual exploitation and abuse. It must be undertaken in a proactive and comprehensive manner across the UN system and in partnership with?Member States. ?Fundamental elements of this approach include screening and training staff, raising public awareness, and conducting risk assessments.
Screening
The Secretary-General has made it clear that anyone found guilty of sexual exploitation or abuse while serving a UN entity should never again work within the UN system. To enforce this zero-tolerance policy, the UN has enhanced its candidate screening process for all positions, including rigorous checks for any prior misconduct records across different UN entities. In peacekeeping operations, personnel are already thoroughly vetted for past misconduct in previous UN deployments, ensuring that those who serve do so with integrity and accountability. ?
Training
Training of all UN staff and personnel on the is an essential element in the fight against sexual exploitation and abuse.? Training for all UN personnel is conducted regularly both before and during deployment. Since 2017 the UN has had an online training programme on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse?that is mandatory for all staff in the Secretariat and in UN peace operations. Other UN system entities are also adapting the training for their own use.
Outreach and awareness-raising
Public awareness-raising about what is acceptable behavior by UN staff and personnel and how to report wrongdoing through existing mechanisms is conducted by UN peace operations as well as?agencies, funds and programmes operating in the field. ?Safe, accessible and confidential community-based complaint reception mechanisms have been established or are being set up in field locations where the UN has humanitarian, development and peacekeeping presence.
Risk assessment
A key to preventing misconduct lies in identifying and mitigating the of sexual exploitation and abuse. UN entities regularly conduct risk assessments and implement proactive measures at their field locations, with a strong focus on addressing risks related to sexual exploitation and abuse. In doing so, the UN aims to foster safer environments and uphold the highest standards of conduct.