Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, often called PSEA, is the set of standards, systems and responsibilities designed to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation or abuse by people connected with assistance, services, employment, authority, protection, distribution or access.
What PSEA covers
PSEA covers sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, exchange of sex for money, employment, goods, services, protection, documents, transport or favourable treatment, sexual activity with children, coercion, threats, retaliation, grooming, harassment and abuse of authority.
It applies to organisations, staff, contractors, consultants, volunteers, partners, guards, drivers, interpreters, suppliers, community focal points and anyone who uses access to aid or services to exploit someone.
Prevention measures
- Clear codes of conduct and signed behaviour standards.
- Pre-deployment training and refresher briefings in the local context.
- Safe recruitment, reference checks and partner due diligence.
- Community-facing information on expected conduct and how to report safely.
- Accessible complaints mechanisms in local languages and formats.
- Protection against retaliation for survivors, witnesses and people reporting concerns.
- Fast, confidential escalation routes where the normal line management chain is unsafe.
What to do if there is a PSEA concern
Report through the correct channel
Use the safeguarding, PSEA, whistleblowing or integrity channel specified in your briefing. If a channel is compromised, use the alternative route.
Do not alert the suspected person
Do not warn, confront or question the person accused. This can increase risk and damage an investigation.
Protect the survivor and reporter
Limit information, protect identity and consider retaliation, community stigma, family pressure, employment risk and security risk.
Use survivor support services
Reporting and survivor assistance are not the same thing. The person affected may need medical, psychosocial, protection, legal or safe shelter support.
Community reporting and information
People affected by crisis should know that assistance should never be conditional on sexual contact, gifts, relationships, personal favours, silence or loyalty to a gatekeeper. They should also know where to report concerns safely and what information they may be asked to provide.
Reporting routes should not depend only on literacy, smartphones, internet access, office visits, public queues or one community leader. Use multiple routes and check whether they are safe for women, children, men, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, older people, undocumented people and minority groups.
Source guidance and further reading
Use local referral pathways, mission briefings and trained protection, safeguarding, GBV, child protection, medical and security focal points before relying on any general online guidance. These external sources are included for context and should be adapted to the setting.
- UN Preventing Sexual Exploitation and AbuseUN system-wide PSEA resources.
- IASC Six Core PrinciplesCore principles relating to sexual exploitation and abuse.
- IASC PSEAInter-agency work on PSEA and frontline knowledge.
- UN Victims’ Rights FirstUN victim-centred approach resources.
Questions people often ask
What does PSEA mean?
PSEA means Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. It covers prevention, reporting, response and survivor support where abuse is connected with assistance, authority or access.
Should a manager handle a PSEA concern informally?
No. Concerns should be reported through the approved safeguarding, PSEA, whistleblowing or integrity channel.
Is survivor support separate from investigation?
Yes. A person affected by abuse may need support whether or not an investigation is opened or concluded.