2.2.1-RFP Attachment 6 Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Six Core Principles.pdf

2 See Report of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Task Force on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Humanitarian Crises of 13 June 2002, Plan of Action, Section I.A. Minimum operating standards for the IASC may be found here: but also to the minimum operating standards:

https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/3_minimum_operating_standards_mos-psea.pdf

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

The Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (DOS/PRM) strongly supports the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s (IASC) Plan of Action to protect beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance from sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). Applicants should include codes of conduct as an attachment to the proposal application. PRM will check to ensure that our overseas and domestic non-governmental organization partners have IASC-compliant codes of conduct in place at the time of submitting a proposal and codes of conduct consistent with the IASC’s six core principles must be signed and implemented within their organizations prior to PRM making a final award.

PRM further encourages program partners to develop clearly articulated policies to both respond to and prevent this type of abuse. In the future, PRM will hold consultations with partners about requiring Accountability Work Plans, similar to security plans, to further demonstrate their preparation for preventing and responding to SEA.

IASC Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse2

1. Sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian workers constitute acts of gross misconduct and are therefore grounds for termination of employment.

2. Sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18) is prohibited regardless of the age of majority or age of consent locally. Mistaken belief regarding the age of a child is not a defence.

3. Exchange of money, employment, goods, or services for sex, including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour is prohibited. This includes exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries.

4. Sexual relationships between humanitarian workers and beneficiaries are strongly discouraged since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics. Such relationships undermine the credibility and integrity of humanitarian aid work.

5. Where a humanitarian worker develops concerns or suspicions regarding sexual abuse or exploitation by a fellow worker, whether in the same agency or not, he or she must report such concerns via established agency reporting mechanisms.

6. Humanitarian workers are obliged to create and maintain an environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of their code of conduct. Managers at all levels have particular responsibilities to support and develop systems which maintain this environment.

https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/3_minimum_operating_standards_mos-psea.pdf http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/iasc/pageloader.aspx?page=content-products-products&sel=14

IASC Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse2