Report Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Sexual exploitation and abuse are any actual or threatened sexual activities carried out by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. For examples, humanitarian workers asking refugees for sex or making sexual remarks and/or jokes are considered sexual exploitation and abuse. Sexual exploitation and abuse are unacceptable behaviors that are forbidden for any humanitarian worker including United Nations staff and NGO Partners.

The UN has ZERO TOLERANCE for sexual exploitation and abuse.

Sexual exploitation and abuse can happen to anyone—men, women, boys, and girls—at any age, with or without a disability, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity and in any circumstance.

In line with the United Nations standards of conduct, any humanitarian workers, including the staff members of UNHCR and its NGO partners are forbidden from engaging in exploitative sexual activities.

• Humanitarian workers are not allowed to have sexual activities with anyone in exchange for money, employment, preferential treatment, goods or services,
• Humanitarian workers are never allowed to have sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18 years old,
• Humanitarian workers are forbidden from engaging in any other form of sexually humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour.

These rules also apply to community members who volunteer in their community with the support of UNHCR or NGO partners, for example, Outreach Volunteers and Education Community Liaisons.

You can report any misconduct by humanitarians including sexual exploitation and abuse directly to any UNHCR or partner staff, by calling the UNHCR Lebanon National Call Center at 📞04726111 or by contacting through 🗎 the Online Contact Form. You can also reach out to someone you trust in your community such as Outreach Volunteers.

You can also write to the UNHCR Inspector General Office directly:

• By confidential email: [email protected]
• By using the online complaint form
• By post: Rue de Montbrillant 94, Case postale 2500, 1211 Genève, Switzerland

Important:

• Your report and all communication with UNHCR will be kept strictly confidential. Your information will not be shared with anyone without your consent.
• Making a complaint will not in any way impact your case with UNHCR.
• You can make an anonymous complaint.

It is important to keep in mind that:

1. All humanitarian and development assistance is free of charge for everyone.
2. No one has the right to demand money, favors or sex for any assistance or services you receive.
3. You have the right to be safe and to be treated with dignity and respect.
4. You have the right to report a service provider if they harm or upset you.
5. Reporting will not prevent you from receiving services and assistance.
6. If you know or suspect that abuse is happening to you or someone you know, you have the right to report and seek help.
7. Your safety is our priority!
8. Any complaint you make will be kept confidential and are followed up safely and seriously.