Victims’ Rights Statement - Elevate the Rights, Dignity, Experiences and Needs of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by United Nations staff and Related Personnel

In 2017, a pivotal moment reshaped the United Nations' stance on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), with the Secretary-General unveiling a 'new approach' that prioritizes the rights and dignity of victims. This strategic shift underscores the UN's commitment to preventing SEA and enhancing response mechanisms across its programming pillars. Central to this initiative is the establishment of the Victims’ Rights Advocate role, a dedicated effort to champion the rights, dignity, experiences, and needs of SEA victims by UN staff and related personnel. This move signifies a profound organizational commitment to address and mitigate the impacts of SEA, ensuring that victim-centric principles guide the United Nations' actions and policies.

In May 2023, further solidifying the UN's dedication to this cause, the Secretary-General’s High-Level Steering Group on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse endorsed the Victims’ Rights Statement. This document, deeply rooted in the United Nations Comprehensive Strategy on Assistance and Support to Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and international human rights frameworks, underwent extensive development and consultations across the UN system and with rights advocates. The Statement delineates ten fundamental rights for victims, including respect, assistance, justice, autonomy in participation, access to information, a voice in processes, privacy, protection, remedies, and the right to complain about treatment by the UN. It empowers victims to know, understand, and assert their rights, serving as a universal reference for all individuals working with or for the UN.

The Victims’ Rights Statement, reflective of the UN's linguistic diversity, is accessible in all official UN languages and has been translated into additional languages such as Bahasa Indonesia, among others, by UN colleagues and partners. Available for download, this critical document aims to broaden awareness and understanding of victims' rights globally. In light of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, the Office of the Victims’ Rights Advocate (OVRA) has launched a campaign to promote the Statement and plans to introduce child-friendly and accessible versions in 2024. All materials will be available on a dedicated webpage at un.org/victimsrightsfirst, inviting readers to explore the document in English and Bahasa Indonesia to fully grasp the rights and protections afforded to victims of SEA within the UN framework. Download the English and Bahasa Indonesia version below.