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Welcome and introduction to PSEAH

For the FDFA, the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment is a key priority, both internally and for partner organisations. The FDFA promotes zero tolerance of inaction against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

This shareweb introduces you to PSEAH and FDFA/SDC's position and normative documents. It offers you instructions and guidance and attempts to support you in case you have to deal with SEAH in your working environment. It provides you access to relevant international policies and good practice examples in order to allow you to learn from others.

What is PSEAH? PSEAH stands for the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. PSEAH is the term used by the United Nations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to refer to measures taken to protect people from SEAH by their own staff and associated personnel. Sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment is widespread and can have severe mental, physical, social and other consequences for the survivor / victim as well as often for the organisation (loss of qualified staff, negative work atmosphere etc.). We have the responsibility to protect those we are aiming to support through our work and those who are working with and for us. PSEAH cannot be achieved by one individual alone, but needs commitment and implementation by the whole sector and society at large. PSEAH is relevant for the safety of beneficiaries, clients, staff of the SDC and partner organisations.	Film "No excuse for abuse" by InterAction.org

What is PSEAH?

PSEAH stands for the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. PSEAH is the term used by the United Nations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to refer to measures taken to protect people from SEAH by their own staff and associated personnel. Sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment is widespread and can have severe mental, physical, social and other consequences for the survivor / victim as well as often for the organisation (loss of qualified staff, negative work atmosphere etc.).

We have the responsibility to protect those we are aiming to support through our work and those who are working with and for us. PSEAH cannot be achieved by one individual alone, but needs commitment and implementation by the whole sector and society at large.

PSEAH is relevant for the safety of beneficiaries, clients, staff of the SDC and partner organisations.

Film "No excuse for abuse" by InterAction.org

DEFINITIONS (used in the context of International Cooperation): Sexual Exploitation: Any actual or attempted abuse of position of vulnerability, differential power or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. Sexual exploitation is a broad term, which includes acts such as, transactional sex, solicitation of transactional sex and exploitative relationship. Sexual Abuse: Actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. "Sexual abuse" is a broad term, which includes acts such as rape, sexual assault, forced prostitution etc. Sexual Harassment: It is defined as any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature with the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of a person, in particular when creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. Source: United Nations Secretary General’s Bulletin: Special measures for the protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (ST/SGB/2003/13)

DEFINITIONS (used in the context of International Cooperation):

Sexual Exploitation: Any actual or attempted abuse of position of vulnerability, differential power or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. Sexual exploitation is a broad term, which includes acts such as, transactional sex, solicitation of transactional sex and exploitative relationship.

Sexual Abuse: Actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. "Sexual abuse" is a broad term, which includes acts such as rape, sexual assault, forced prostitution etc.

Sexual Harassment: It is defined as any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature with the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of a person, in particular when creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Source: United Nations Secretary General’s Bulletin: Special measures for the protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (ST/SGB/2003/13)