Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH)

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH)

WOMEN AND CHILD RESILIENCE FOUNDATION (WCR INDONESIA)

I. INTRODUCTION

The Women and Child Resilience Foundation (WCR Indonesia) is an organization focused on strengthening the resilience of women, youth, and children to enable them to survive, adapt, and recover from various crises and increasingly complex life challenges. In line with the organization’s vision to build strong resilience for women, youth, and children across various sectors, WCR Indonesia considers the protection of human dignity and safety as fundamental principles in all institutional activities and programs.

As an organization engaged in research and development, capacity building, training and certification, as well as public awareness initiatives, WCR Indonesia directly interacts with various groups within society, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable groups. These interactions, whether conducted offline or online, require clear protection standards to ensure that every individual experiences a safe, inclusive, and dignified environment free from risks of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

WCR Indonesia is committed to upholding the principles of gender equality, respect for human rights, and special protection for women and children who are often socially positioned as more vulnerable to abuse of power and harmful acts. This commitment aligns with the organization’s core value of resilience, namely the ability to respond to pressure, manage vulnerabilities, and continuously build recovery capacity. In this context, the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment is not only an ethical obligation but also an integral part of the foundation’s mission of empowerment and protection.

In carrying out all programs and activities, WCR Indonesia applies the principle of a safe environment free from all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment/PSEAH). This principle applies to all elements of the organization, including board members, staff, volunteers, consultants, partners, and all parties interacting with beneficiaries. Every individual involved in the foundation’s activities is required to comply with professional standards of conduct, maintain healthy interaction boundaries, and avoid all forms of abuse of power relations.

This policy is established as an institutional commitment to prevent, detect, address, and effectively respond to all allegations and incidents of PSEAH by upholding the principles of justice, accountability, confidentiality, and a victim-centered approach. Through this policy, WCR Indonesia firmly declares a zero-tolerance stance toward all forms of conduct that degrade human dignity, threaten safety, or violate the rights of women, children, and vulnerable groups, while strengthening safe, trustworthy, and accountable organizational governance.

II. OBJECTIVES

This policy aims to:

1. Prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment in all organizational activities
2. Establish standards of conduct for all involved parties
3. Provide safe, accessible, and reliable reporting mechanisms
4. Ensure fair, prompt, and victim-centered case handling
5. Protect victims, reporters, and witnesses from retaliation

III. LEGAL BASIS

1. The Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia
2. Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code
3. Law No. 44 of 2008 concerning Pornography
4. Law No. 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection
5. Law No. 7 of 1984 concerning the Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
6. Law No. 23 of 2004 concerning the Elimination of Domestic Violence
7. Law No. 21 of 2007 concerning Human Trafficking and Law No. 19 of 2016 concerning Amendments to Law No. 11 of 2008 concerning Electronic Transactions
8. Article 86 paragraph (1) of Law No. 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower stipulates that workers are entitled to protection of morality and decency. Article 6 of the same law states that “Every worker/laborer has the right to receive equal treatment without discrimination from employers.”
9. ILO Convention No. 111 concerning Discrimination in Employment and Occupation, ratified through Law No. 21 of 1999
10. Law No. 40 of 2008 concerning the Elimination of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination and provisions of the Criminal Code under Book Two on Crimes against Morality (Articles 281–303)
11. Guidelines on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace issued by the Ministry of Manpower and ILO based on Circular Letter No. SE.03/MEN/IV/2011

IV. SCOPE

This policy applies to:

1. Board members and management
2. All staff members (permanent, contract, and interns)
3. Volunteers, consultants, and experts
4. Partners and third parties
5. Program beneficiaries

This policy applies in all contexts of activities, including offices, field activities, online activities, and informal interactions related to work.

V. DEFINITIONS

1. Sexual Exploitation
   The abuse of a position of power, trust, or vulnerability for sexual purposes, including obtaining financial, social, or political benefits.
2. Sexual Abuse
   Any act that degrades, humiliates, harasses, or attacks a person’s body and reproductive functions in a sexual manner against the victim’s will. This includes both physical and non-physical acts such as rape, molestation, sexual exploitation, and forced pornography.
3. Sexual Harassment
   Any form of unwanted and unapproved sexual behavior, remarks, or actions that demean the victim’s dignity. Such acts create an uncomfortable, intimidating, or threatening environment and may occur physically, verbally, nonverbally, or through digital media.
4. Consent
   Agreement given freely, consciously, and without coercion.
5. Victim/Survivor
   An individual who experiences acts of PSEAH.
6. Reporter
   An individual who reports alleged PSEAH incidents.
7. Witness
   An individual who knows of or has information related to an incident.

VI. CORE PRINCIPLES

In its implementation, this policy adheres to the following principles:

1. Zero Tolerance: No tolerance for any form of PSEAH
2. Victim-Centered Approach: Prioritizing the safety, needs, and choices of victims
3. Confidentiality: Strict and limited handling of information
4. Non-Discrimination: Without distinction based on gender, age, background, or social status
5. Accountability: Every action must be accountable
6. Do No Harm: Avoid causing additional harm to victims

VII. CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

All parties are required to:

1. Respect the dignity and rights of every individual
2. Maintain professional boundaries in every interaction
3. Refrain from exploitative or unequal relationships
4. Avoid situations that may create conflicts of interest or abuse of power
5. Report any suspected violations

VIII. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The following are strictly prohibited:

1. Engaging in sexual relations with beneficiaries in vulnerable positions
2. Requesting or accepting sexual favors in any form
3. Committing sexual harassment in any form
4. Using positions of authority or power for sexual purposes
5. Involving children in any form of sexual activity
6. Accessing, storing, or distributing pornographic materials within work-related contexts

IX. PREVENTION

Preventive efforts are carried out through:

1. Integrating PSEAH into organizational policies
2. Regular training and capacity building
3. Transparent and integrity-based recruitment processes
4. Signing integrity pacts by all parties
5. Internal and external awareness campaigns

X. REPORTING MECHANISM

WCR Indonesia provides safe and accessible reporting mechanisms through:

1. Official organizational email
2. Complaint hotline
3. Reporting forms (online/offline)
4. Anonymous reporting channels (whistleblowing)

Reporting principles:

1. Confidentiality is guaranteed
   Every report received by WCR Indonesia must be handled while ensuring the confidentiality of the identities of reporters, victims, witnesses, and all information related to the substance of the report. Access to information is limited only to parties directly authorized in the verification and case-handling process based on the need-to-know principle. Disclosure of information without consent, unless required by law, is prohibited.
2. No retaliation against reporters
   WCR Indonesia guarantees that every reporter who submits allegations of PSEAH in good faith will be protected from all forms of intimidation, threats, discrimination, pressure, or retaliation. This protection includes physical, psychological, social, and professional aspects, including protection from exclusion, demotion, or termination of employment or partnership.
3. Processes are conducted professionally and sensitively toward victims
   All stages of receiving, verifying, investigating, and following up reports are conducted professionally, objectively, and using a victim-centered approach. At every stage, WCR Indonesia ensures that victims are treated with respect, empathy, and sensitivity while prioritizing their safety, comfort, dignity, and recovery needs.

XI. CASE HANDLING PROCEDURES

Case handling stages include:

1. Receipt of reports
2. Initial assessment (screening)
3. Internal investigation
4. Decision making
5. Follow-up and recovery

Throughout this process, the organization ensures:

1. The physical and psychological safety of victims
2. Access to support services (psychological, medical, legal)
3. Assistance throughout the process

XII. PROTECTION OF VICTIMS AND REPORTERS

WCR Indonesia places the protection of victims, reporters, and witnesses as a fundamental component in implementing the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) policy. Every individual who reports alleged sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment, whether as a direct victim or as someone aware of the incident, has the right to comprehensive protection throughout the case-handling process.

WCR Indonesia guarantees protection from all forms of intimidation, threats, pressure, discrimination, and retaliation that may arise as a result of submitting reports. This protection applies to all parties, including board members, staff, volunteers, consultants, partners, and other external parties involved in organizational activities. Any form of retaliation, whether verbal, psychological, social, administrative, or professional, will be treated as a serious violation and sanctioned in accordance with organizational regulations.

XIII. SANCTIONS

Violations of this policy may result in sanctions according to the severity of the violation, including:

1. Written warning
2. Suspension
3. Termination of employment
4. Termination of partnership
5. Reporting to law enforcement authorities

XIV. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Board/Management: ensure implementation and monitoring of the policy
2. Staff: comply with the policy and report violations
3. Partners: follow the established standards
4. PSEAH Handling Unit: receive and handle reports

XV. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure effective implementation and alignment with regulatory developments and organizational needs.

XVI. CLOSING

This policy represents the official commitment of WCR Indonesia in creating a safe, inclusive environment free from all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.