Nearly 1 in 3 women across the globe experience physical or sexual violence. Violence against women affects every society and sector including the global humanitarian and development sector, where sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, or SEAH, against women and girls remains pervasive.
Recent incidents reported to CHS Alliance — a global alliance of humanitarian and development organizations committed to making aid work better for people — suggest that 94% of victims/survivors are female, and a shocking third of SEAH violations are perpetrated against girls under the age of 18. Women and girls caught up in conflicts, natural disasters, or extreme poverty can be especially vulnerable to this abuse of power. More must be done to address abuse when those entrusted to help instead inflict harm.
Humanitarian and development partners have a duty to protect everyone — particularly people in situations of vulnerability — from SEAH. Yet, despite repeated pledges to tackle SEAH, many violations go unaddressed or are mishandled, emboldening perpetrators and leaving victims/survivors without justice and support. It is unacceptable that, in a sector dedicated to "do no harm," impunity still reigns.
Ensuring a victim/survivor-centered approach
Breaking this cycle of impunity begins with improving accountability systems, starting with how victims/survivors are treated when they disclose an allegation. It involves strengthening and monitoring every step of their journey, from disclosure to redress. Localizing and decolonizing protection from SEAH is essential. Protection strategies must be tailored to local contexts and informed by the lived experiences of victims/survivors. When efforts are led by local entities and reflect community realities, they are more likely to be adopted.
Investigations are critical for accountability. When conducted locally, by trained, culturally appropriate investigators, and supported by decisive management, fair and thorough investigations can ensure victims/survivors feel supported. This can lead to real accountability by actioning findings, supporting criminal prosecutions, and connecting with victim/survivor support services. Conversely, poorly conducted investigations risk causing further harm.
What are the barriers to overcome?
Despite the central role investigations play in breaking this cycle, they have fallen short. Victims/survivors commonly report quality, anonymity, and privacy concerns. They complain of elusive justice, not receiving feedback, and lack of protection against retaliation. Many investigators lack expertise in how to conduct victim/survivor-centered SEAH investigations.
Where investigation capacity does exist, it is generally confined to a small pool in high-income countries and not available in settings where risk is high. There is a particular shortage of women investigators in low- and middle-income countries. With better support, local and national civil society organizations can access training for their own staff and retain these critical skills.
Equipping a global cohort of qualified SEAH investigators
The Investigator Qualification Training Scheme, or IQTS, developed by CHS Alliance and Humentum, supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development, has emerged alongside other initiatives to help address these challenges.
IQTS provides comprehensive, professionally developed survivor-centered investigation training that is partially subsidized and available online in English, Spanish, and French.
IQTS provides comprehensive training that goes beyond basic investigative techniques and seeks to instill an understanding of how the victim/survivor-centered approach is key to effective investigation as it is to an organization’s entire accountability approach. It aligns with the Core Humanitarian Standard, and recognizes the barriers that victims/survivors face when reporting and participating in investigations, including the fear of retaliation, stigma, and lack of trust in institutional processes. The courses are made accessible through subsidies for participants from LMICs. The training ensures that investigators respect the dignity and autonomy of victims/survivors, minimizing the risk of re-traumatization.
“The IQTS has been a crucial stepping stone for ABAAD, addressing the investigative capacity gap that most local organizations face. It complemented the PSEAH mainstreaming efforts that are in place at the operational level by providing us with tools to maintain a survivor-centered approach throughout the investigation and address cultural barriers and risks that women and girls face in Lebanon. Tailored intervention is at the heart of ensuring accountable practices, and the course has equipped us with the knowledge to do it.”
— Lara Habib, accountability and PSEA coordinator, CHS Alliance member ABAAD — Resource Center for Gender EqualityIncreasing the numbers and geographic spread of trained SEAH investigators is only one part of the movement toward improving accountability in the sector. Understanding the diversity of challenges across regions is key to progress. To this end, CHS Alliance aims to build a roster of certified local investigators, and is supporting a community of practice for those qualified under IQTS. An e-learning tool to support managers is also being developed to ensure that decisive and appropriate action is taken, and organizational accountability is improved.
A collective effort
As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Nov. 25 and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, we must confront the systemic shortcomings in responding to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment allegations, recognizing these as a profound violation of rights. Failing to do so perpetuates impunity and denies survivors the justice, support, and safety they deserve.
To tackle SEAH effectively, investigations must be part of a holistic approach that goes beyond compliance to prioritize survivors, uphold their rights, and ensure accountability. By embedding investigation skills within survivor-centered practices, organizations of all sizes can respond more effectively. It’s time to take action.
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About the authors
Martina Broström
Martina Broström is a safeguarding, public health, and accountability expert with over 20 years of experience across the United Nations, international NGOs, and the public sector. At CHS Alliance, she leads initiatives to enhance protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH), focusing on survivor-centered investigations and accountability. As a survivor of sexual abuse within the U.N. Martina is a committed advocate for justice, striving to reduce impunity and improve outcomes for survivors. She contributes to various policy and technical working groups and regularly shares her insights as a speaker on panels and in the media.
Cynthia Smith
Cynthia Smith, a seasoned advocate with over 25 years of global development policy and program leadership experience, is the senior director of global initiatives for Humentum. In addition to leading the participatory design, implementation, and evaluation of development programs across the Americas and Southeast Asia, Cynthia has mobilized civil society advocacy with the Organization of American States, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, global development policy fora, U.S. Congress, and U.S. executive branch agencies. She has expertise in organizational governance, compliance, risk, and accountability; participatory processes; access to justice; and network and coalition building.
