Sexual Exploitation is the actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes, including but not limited to profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of the other. While Sexual Abuse is the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) is essentially a term used to describe inappropriate sexual conduct perpetrated by aid workers against recipients of assistance and other members of vulnerable communities. SEA is an abuse of power. Aid workers virtually always have more power over those they’re there to serve. Hence, victims are often abused because of their vulnerable status. 

At a minimum, an aid worker should: Understand what constitutes sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) & Sexual Harassment (SH). Have knowledge of what to do if disclosures of SEA/SH do arise in the context of their work and referrals need to be made. Recognize what should be reported as suspected or alleged SEA/SH, and how to report it.

Service Provision Referral Pathways For gender-based violence response services in Borno, Adamawa and the Yobe States, access the GBVSS Interactive Referral Service Directory. For other locations, access contacts for confidential services through the following link https://nomoredirectory.org/nigeria/ 

Are you a UN staff experiencing sexual harassment at the workplace and do not know what to do? Contact the UN Stress Counsellor for guidance at: +234 (0)9123350470 or +234(0)7031458881 Email:linet.okongo@undp.org .