A victims’ rights approach to the prevention of, and response to, sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel

Abstract

Since its foundation in 1945, the United Nations’ role in situations of conflict, humanitarian crisis and development has expanded and diversified. As it has done so, victims of sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel have come forward, reporting their experiences to United Nations and civil society staff, the media and others. Over the past 20 years, the United Nations has developed and implemented increasingly comprehensive system-wide policies to prevent and respond to these harmful behaviours. In 2017, the United Nations Secretary-General introduced a “new approach” to these endeavours, which places the rights and dignity of victims at the forefront, including by creating the position of Victims’ Rights Advocate (VRA). I was appointed the first VRA and began work in mid-September 2017. Since that time, I have sought to implement the Secretary-General’s policy by elevating the rights of victims. In doing so, I contribute to the United Nations’ quest to protect people in communities around the world from sexual exploitation and abuse by its uniformed and civilian staff and those who implement its programmes on the ground.