Yogyakarta – YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU) organized a Training on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) and Psychological First Aid (PFA) on Monday, 15 July 2024, in Yogyakarta. This training aimed to strengthen the capacity of local innovators as part of the Community-Led Innovation Partnership (CLIP) IDEAKSI activities by providing a comprehensive understanding of protection policies, including the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, as well as psychological first aid.

 

As part of innovation development during the scale-up phase, YEU collaborated with Elrha, Start Network, and ADRRN Tokyo Innovation Hub to conduct this training, equipping local innovators to carry out innovation activities and humanitarian assistances.

 

Why is this training important?

Image 1. Participants discuss together in solving a case study

This training is crucial to ensure the protection and fulfillment of the rights of children and vulnerable adults, safeguarding them from abuse or any acts that violate humanitarian principles. Additionally, it is essential to raise awareness and sensitivity among all staff and collaborating parties about the protection of children and vulnerable adults, as well as to protect all beneficiaries of the organization’s programs.

 

Definition of Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEAH)

Image 2. Participants discussed and matched the types of violence

Violence refers to any form of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, emotional ill-treatment, or psychological violence, including sexual abuse, harassment, or other forms of commercial exploitation. Types of violence include physical, verbal, gestural, written, and psychological/emotional violence. Creating a safe work culture means ensuring it is free from violence, harassment, exploitation, and neglect.

Sexual exploitation is 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.¹

Sexual abuse is an actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.²

Sexual harassment is a continuum of unacceptable and unwelcome behaviours and practices of a sexual nature that may include (among others) sexual suggestions or demands, requests for sexual favours and sexual, verbal or physical conduct or gestures that are or might reasonably be perceived as offensive or humiliating.³

 

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

Image 3. DPA facilitator presents the Intervention Pyramid for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

According to Sphere (2011) and IASC (2007), PFA describes being humane and supportive towards fellow humans who are suffering and who may need support. PFA covers the following: 

• providing practical, non-intrusive care and support;

• assessing needs and concerns; 

• helping people to meet basic needs (e.g., food and water, information);

• listening to people, but do not force them to talk;

• comforting people and help them feel calm;

• helping people connect with information, services, and social support;

• protecting people from further harm.

 

Psychological First Aid is a method of assisting someone in distress to help them feel calm and supported so they can better cope with their challenges or difficulties.

 

As a result of this training, it is expected that partner organizations, local innovators, and the community will improve their knowledge and understanding of PSEAH and Psychological First Aid. Local innovators can adopt or implement this knowledge as a policy, principle, and procedure in carrying out their humanitarian assistances.

 

 

Author: Desy Putri Ratnasari, Information and Communication Staff in Yogyakarta

 

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References:

[1] United Nations Secretariat (9 October 2003) Secretary General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation, 2003/13 (ST/SGB/2003/13), New York: United Nations.

[2] ibid

[3] Endorsed in the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/73/148 on 17th December 2018