IASC Inter-Agency Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Referral Procedures (IA SEA RP)

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) has been committed to the principle and delivery of an inter-agency community-based complaints mechanism (IA CBCM) since 2016. 1 A key priority under the IASC PSEAH Vision and Strategy (2022-2026) and the 2022-2023 IASC PSEAH Technical Advisory Group Work Plan, is to review and revise the IA CBCM approach, in recognition that IA CBCMs are not being systematically implemented in all responses, as envisioned by the IASC Principals in 2016.2 The modalities of the revision are based on the 2021 IASC External Review of PSEA/SH, commissioned by UNFPA; a rapid survey of PSEA Coordinators commissioned by IOM, identifying challenges to implementing the IA CBCM approach and utility of the Best Practice Guide; a two-day stakeholder dialogue with PSEA experts from IASC Members; and observations from the IASC mapping. The overarching goal of the IASC PSEAH Vision and Strategy is that by 2026, Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs) will be able to demonstrate that a fully resourced inter-agency community-based complaint mechanism is in place.

This Guidance Note has been produced and cleared by a Steering Committee comprised of the following members: CHS Alliance, IASC Taskforce 2 liaison (IASC AAP and OCHA AAP), IFRC, IOM, OCHA/IASC Secretariat, OHCHR, OSC SEA, OVRA, PSEA Coordinator Chad, SCHR, SCHR/WVI, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP and WHO; overseen by the IASC TAG and endorsed by the IASC Deputies on behalf of the Principals. It has undergone extensive consultations with Steering Committee members, PSEA Coordinators and practitioners. Related tools have been developed and/or reproduced from tools used in the field, based on the needs identified by field operations.