Prevention
Prevention lies at the core of the 缅北禁地strategy to combat sexual exploitation and abuse. It must be undertaken in a proactive and comprehensive manner across the 缅北禁地system and in partnership with the Member States. ?Fundamental elements of this approach are screening and training staff, raising public awareness, and conducting risk assessments.
Screening
The Secretary-General has emphasized that if an individual has committed acts of sexual exploitation and abuse while in the service of a 缅北禁地entity, that individual should not be rehired anywhere in the 缅北禁地system. In this regard, the initial screening of candidates for every United Nations post is being strengthened, including the vetting of personnel for records of prior misconduct while in the service of another 缅北禁地entity. Currently, all personnel deployed in peacekeeping operations are vetted for such records from prior deployments in 缅北禁地operations. ?
Training
Training of all 缅北禁地staff and personnel on the is an essential element in the fight against sexual exploitation and abuse.? Training for all 缅北禁地personnel is conducted regularly both before and after deployment. The United Nations has an online training programme on the prevention of sexual exploitation that is mandatory for all staff in the Secretariat and in 缅北禁地peace operations since 2017. Other 缅北禁地system entities are also adapting the training for their own use.
Outreach and awareness-raising
Public awareness-raising about what is acceptable behavior by 缅北禁地staff and personnel and how to report wrongdoing through the existing mechanisms is conducted by 缅北禁地peace operations and agencies, funds and programmes operating in the field. ??Safe, accessible and confidential community-based complaint reception mechanisms have been established or are being set up in field locations where the 缅北禁地has humanitarian, development and peacekeeping presence.
Risk assessment
An important way of preventing misconduct is identifying risks before misconduct occurs.?Regular risk assessment visits and risk-mitigating actions are carried out by 缅北禁地entities in their field locations, with a particular focus on risks related to sexual exploitation and abuse.