Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Reporting Mechanism for Alleged Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Committed by UN Personnel and UN Implementing Partners in Trinidad and Tobago
The United Nations has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.
In Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten, we are fully committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment where everyone feels protected and empowered to speak up. Any failure to comply with UN standards of conduct may lead to serious consequences. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and taking strong action against sexual misconduct remains a top priority of the UN in Trinidad and Tobago, alongside providing comprehensive protection and support for victims while preserving their rights and dignity.
This page provides a mechanism to make an official report of an allegation of sexual exploitation and/or sexual abuse by UN personnel or a UN implementing partner. Once submitted, this report is sent to the UN Trinidad and Tobago inter-agency PSEA network for further action and support.
Click here to submit a report of an allegation to UN Trinidad and Tobago.
All information and names provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The consent of victims or complainants will be obtained before any confidential information is shared, and only when necessary for the purposes of investigation and to provide professional support to the victim.
What is Sexual Exploitation and Abuse?
Sexual Exploitation: any actual or attempted abuse of a person in 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 another.
Sexual Abuse: the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA): the combination of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. It occurs when people in positions of power or trust exploit the vulnerability of a particular community for sexual purposes. It is important to note that consent does not determine whether SEA has occurred because SEA victims have unequal power status.
The UN’s Zero Tolerance Policy applies to
- UN Personnel
This includes:
- Staff of the UN Secretariat and UN agencies
- UN Volunteers
- People deployed under stand-by arrangements or loans
- Interns and individuals hired through agencies
- Gratis personnel and consultants
- International or regional military forces serving with UN Peacekeeping or under a UN mandate
B) UN Implementing Partners – These are organizations that conduct UN programmes or projects under signed agreements. They are responsible for using resources effectively and delivering results. Implementing partners may include:
- Government institutions
- Inter-governmental organizations
- Civil society groups, including NGOs
- Subcontractors working under an implementing partner
If you want to file a report directly with a UN Office, Specialized Agency, Fund or Programme where the alleged perpetrator works, please follow this link for a list of entity-specific reporting channels.