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PSEA Policy

Last updated: February 2026 · ACRA — Agency for Child Relief Aid

1. ACRA's Commitment

ACRA — Agency for Child Relief Aid is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. We have zero tolerance for any form of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) committed by ACRA personnel against the people we serve.

This policy applies to all ACRA staff, volunteers, consultants, contractors, partners and any individual representing ACRA in any capacity.

 
2. What is Sexual Exploitation and Abuse?

In line with the UN Secretary-General's Bulletin (ST/SGB/2003/13), ACRA defines:

  • Sexual exploitation — any actual or attempted abuse of 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 — actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions

 
3. Prohibited Conduct

The following are strictly prohibited for all ACRA personnel:

  • Any sexual activity with beneficiaries or community members, regardless of the age of majority in the country

  • Exchange of money, goods, services, employment or other benefits for sex with beneficiaries

  • Sexual activity with children (persons under 18) regardless of local laws

  • Any sexual harassment of colleagues, partners or community members

  • Requesting sexual favours in exchange for assistance or preferential treatment

  • Any humiliating, degrading or abusive behaviour of a sexual nature

 
4. Who Can Report a Concern

Anyone can report a PSEA concern including:

  • Beneficiaries or community members

  • ACRA staff, volunteers or consultants

  • Partner organisation staff

  • Members of the public

You do not need to be directly affected to make a report. Reports can be made anonymously.

 
5. How to Report a Concern

​​​The "Report a Concern" button below should link to a Wix contact form with these fields: your name, your email, nature of concern and description of incident. Set form submissions to go to info@acrasouthsudan.org.

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6. What Happens After a Report

When a concern is reported ACRA will:

  • Acknowledge receipt of the report within 48 hours

  • Ensure the immediate safety of any person at risk

  • Conduct a prompt, impartial and confidential investigation

  • Take appropriate disciplinary or legal action if allegations are substantiated

  • Refer victims to appropriate support services

  • Report to relevant authorities and cluster leads as required

 
7. Protection of Reporters

ACRA strictly prohibits retaliation against anyone who makes a good faith report of SEA. Any person who retaliates against a reporter will face disciplinary action up to and including termination.

The identity of reporters will be protected to the greatest extent possible within the constraints of conducting a proper investigation.

 
8. Responsibilities

  • All ACRA personnel must read, understand and adhere to this policy

  • Managers and supervisors must ensure their teams are trained on PSEA and create safe reporting environments

  • The Country Director is responsible for ensuring PSEA policy implementation across all programs

  • The Safeguarding Focal Point is responsible for receiving reports and coordinating investigations

 
9. Training and Awareness

All ACRA staff receive mandatory PSEA training during induction and annually thereafter. Community members in ACRA's operational areas are informed of their rights and reporting channels at the start of every program.

 
10. Related Policies and Standards

This policy is aligned with:

  • UN Secretary-General's Bulletin ST/SGB/2003/13 on SEA

  • Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) on Quality and Accountability

  • Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) PSEA standards

  • ACRA's Code of Conduct and Staff Handbook

 
11. Resources
 
12. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually by the Country Director and updated as needed to reflect changes in operational context, international standards or organisational structure.

 

🛡️ Safeguarding Focal Point

info@acrasouthsudan.org · All reports are confidential

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