Global Affairs Canada expectations for reporting sexual exploitation and abuse in international assistance

Partner organizations are expected to inform Global Affairs Canada of any allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse that arise in the delivery of Canadian international assistance.

Global Affairs Canada will track allegations to analyze trends and issues in sexual exploitation and abuse in international assistance. This information will be used to foster and support more effective prevention and response strategies with respect to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Who should report to Global Affairs Canada

Partner organizations should report allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse to Global Affairs Canada. Multilateral partners will follow their specific protocols to report sexual exploitation and abuse.

Individuals wishing to report an allegation of sexual exploitation and abuse should report directly to the organization concerned. Partner organizations should have mechanisms in place to receive and respond to confidential reports. Partner organizations should follow international best practices, including by taking a victim-centered approach, in their response.

What and when to report

This reporting requirement is strictly for credible allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse occurring in the delivery of Canadian-funded international development and humanitarian projects. An allegation is credible when the source, nature, and information of the report suggest that the allegation is plausible and warrants further investigation. Cases occurring in the delivery of Canadian-funded projects include cases that:

• are perpetrated by staff or associated personnel working on an initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada
• may have a negative impact on the reputation of Global Affairs Canada or of a partner funded by Global Affairs Canada

We expect partner organizations to report allegations within 48 hours of determining that an allegation is credible.

For broader safeguarding or sexual harassment concerns, partner organizations should continue to follow current practice and inform their Global Affairs Canada project officer if the issue will affect project implementation.

Where and how to report

Please fill out the Reporting Form – Sexual exploitation and abuse allegations in international assistance and email it to the Global Affairs Canada PSEA Focal Point at PSEA-PEAS@international.gc.ca.

To protect the privacy of victims, survivors, whistleblowers and alleged perpetrators, organizations should not provide any information that could identify the individuals involved. All information will be treated as private and confidential in accordance with the Privacy Act.

What happens when an allegation is reported

We will acknowledge receipt of all allegations. We may request further information. However, we will not ask for information that could identify any of the individuals involved.

Organizations are directly responsible for investigations of cases reported to them.