What is sexual exploitation?
It is when someone uses their power or takes advantage of someone’s trust or vulnerability for sexual purposes. It includes human trafficking for sex and prostitution.
What is sexual abuse?
It is when someone forces or pressures another person into a sexual act against their will, either by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
What is gender-based violence?
Gender-based violence (GBV) includes harm such as sexual, physical, emotional and financial abuse, both in public and in private. It also includes threats of violence, coercion and manipulation. This can take many forms, like violence from a partner, domestic abuse, sexual violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation and so-called “honor crimes”.
! The consequences of those forms of violence can be devastating and can have life-long repercussions for survivors. It can have impacts on a person’s physical, mental and reproductive health, and it can even lead to death. It can happen to anyone and anywhere — men, women, boys, and girls — at any age, with or without a disability, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender.
If you are victim or witness any forms of sexual exploitation or domestic violence, you have the right to seek for help and protection. There are resources for you:
- Visit the government of Canada website find family violence resources and services in your area.
- For information and referral services for victims of domestic violence, please contact SOS domestic violence: 1-800-363-9010.
- If there is an emergency, you can also call 911 to reach to Canadian police or go directly to the police station. This is a free, emergency number you can call for help.
- If you fear being subject to human trafficking, please refer to the Important Human trafficking & Human smuggling Information for Canada page.
The United Nations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have ZERO-TOLERANCE for sexual exploitation and abuse. United Nations staff and partners must not:
- Have sexual activity with anyone in exchange for money, employment, preferential treatment, goods or services;
- Have sexual activity with any child under the age of 18 years old;
- Engage in any other form of sexually humiliating, degrading, or exploitative behaviour.
How to report Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:
If you are aware of, have witnessed or are subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse by UNHCR, UN, NGOs and civil servants, you can report directly to:
UNHCR’s Inspector General’s Office based in UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland by:
- Using the online complaint form
- Confidential email: [email protected]
- Confidential fax: +41 22 739 7380
- Regular mail: 94, rue de Montbrillant, Case postale 2500, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- the IGO keeps the information it receives confidential