Zero tolerance for sexual harassment and abuse

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today called on the world to stand in solidarity to condemn sexual exploitation and abuse as he detailed the key initiatives at the heart of his victim-centred approach to address the scourge across the UN system.

“Sexual exploitation and abuse has no place in our world,”, Mr. Guterres said in his remarks to the unprecedented High-Level Meeting on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse at UN Headquarters today.

“It is a global menace and it must end,” he added.

The high-level political event demonstrates the international community's solidarity in condemning and committing to combating the scourge – while placing victims' rights and dignity at the forefront of collective efforts.

Underscoring the need for “bold, urgent and much-needed action to root out sexual exploitation and abuse once and for all,” Mr. Guterres said: “We are here in solidarity to specifically focus on the behaviour of individuals who exploit their authority to mistreat those who look to the United Nations for protection.”

The UN chief emphasized that the unspeakable acts of a few should not be allowed to tarnish the work of thousands of men and women who uphold the UN's values “often at great personal risk and sacrifice.”

Stressing that no country or family is immune, the Secretary-General notes that the UN has a responsibility to set a global standard for preventing, responding to and eradicating the scourge – and addressing its impact.“It pains me to say that this behaviour is perpetrated by both civilians and uniformed personnel, and in settings ranging from humanitarian crises to peace operations to refugee camps – where people are vulnerable and public safety is largely absent,” said Mr. Guterres.

 

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More Information/Resources:



Table of UN links for reporting sexual harassment and abuse of authority in the workplace

Download the PDF version of the table

UN 24/7 helpline for sexual harassment*

+1 (917) 367-8910 or email speakup@un.org

Office of the Internal Oversight Services (OIOS)*

https://unvoiosctxwi.unvienna.org/OIOSIDWDR/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSuppor…;

FAO

investigations-hotline@fao.org

Email: Ethics-Office@fao.org

Phone 1: +39 06 57054151

Phone 2: +39 06 57053956

ILO

Email: ETHICS@ilo.org

IOM

https://www.iom.int/ethics-and-conduct-office

Email: Ethics&ConductOffice@iom.int

UNAIDS

https://unvoiosctxwi.unvienna.org/OIOSIDWDR/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSuppor…

UNDP, UNV

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/accountability/audit/office-of…;

Email: reportmisconduct@undp.org

UNESCO

https://secure.unesco.org/survey/index.php?sid=48128&lang=en

Email: ethics@unesco.org

UNFPA

https://web2.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

Email: investigationshotline@unfpa.org

Phone: +1 (212) 297 5200

Post: UNFPA, Private and Confidential attention of the

Director, Office of Audit and Investigation Services, 605

Third Avenue, 5th floor, New York, NY 10158, USA

UNHCR

http://www.unhcr.org/igo-complaints.html

Email: inspector@unhcr.org

Hotline: +41 22 739 8844

Fax: +41 22 739 7380

Post: 94 Rue de Montbrillant, 1202 Geneva-CH

http://www.unhcr.org/igo-complaints.html

UNICEF

Email: integrity1@unicef.org

Post: Director Office of Internal Audit and Investigation

(OIAI) Investigation Section, United Nations Children's

Fund, Three United Nations Plaza, New York, New York

10017, United States of America

UNIDO

https://unvoiosctxwi.unvienna.org/OIOSIDWDR/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSuppor…

UNOCHA

https://unvoiosctxwi.unvienna.org/OIOSIDWDR/

Email investigationsoios@un.org

UNODC

+1 (917) 367-8910 or email speakup@un.org

UNOPS

https://www.unops.org/about/governance/accountability/iaig/report-wrong…

UNWOMEN

https://oios.un.org/page?slug=report-wrong-doing

http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/accountability/investigations#hotline

WFP

Email: hotline@wfp.org

Hotline: +39 06 6513 3663

Inspector General, OEDI, World Food Programme

Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68/70, 00148 Rome

Tel: (3906) 6513 2060

Fax: (3906) 6513 2063

WHO

Email: ethicsoffice@who.int

Email: integrity@expolink.co.uk

https://wrs.expolink.co.uk/integrity

Hotline: www.who.int/about/ethics/en/

*Staff from offices not included in the table can use the 24/7 Helpline and OIOS.