1. Purpose
“Drumul Vietii” is committed to ensuring that its employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of conduct in all interactions with beneficiaries. This policy outlines the measures taken to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and the responsibilities of all personnel in preventing, reporting, and responding to SEA.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all employees, volunteers and partners of “Drumul Vietii,” as well as contractors and third-party service providers.
3. Definitions
- Sexual Exploitation: Any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes, including profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.
- Sexual Abuse: The actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
4. Zero Tolerance
“Drumul Vietii” has a zero-tolerance policy toward SEA. All forms of SEA are prohibited and constitute serious misconduct, leading to disciplinary action, including termination and legal consequences.
5. Prevention Measures
Recruitment and Screening: “Drumul Vietii” has rigorous screening processes to prevent hiring individuals with a history of SEA.
Training and Awareness:
- PSEA training is mandatory for all personnel during onboarding and annually thereafter.
- Training covers definitions of SEA, reporting obligations, and consequences of violations.
6. Reporting Mechanism
SEA incidents must be reported to the PSEA Focal Point at “[email protected]”.
Report should have the following information:
Date of Report
Reported By
Location of Incident (City/Camp/Location)
Type of Incident:
• Sexual Exploitation
• Sexual Abuse
• Other
Details of Incident (Describe the incident, including date, time, and any witnesses)
Actions Taken (if any): (Actions taken by the person reporting, if applicable)
Reports can also be submitted via the “Drumul Vietii” website: https://drumulvietii.ro/contact-us/
7. Investigations and Response
Assistance to Victims: “Drumul Vietii” aims to provide immediate support to SEA survivors, including medical care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance and referring victims to professional services as needed.
Investigation Procedures: “Drumul Vietii” commits to investigating all SEA allegations promptly, confidentially, and fairly. Investigations will be handled by a trained team, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.
Investigation Protocol for SEA Incidents
1. Immediate Action:
Upon receiving a report, the PSEA Focal Point will:
• Acknowledge receipt of the report within 24 hours.
• Conduct an initial risk assessment to ensure the safety of the victim.
2. Investigation:
A trained investigation team will be assembled. The investigation must:
• Be conducted in a confidential, impartial, and fair manner.
• Gather evidence, interview the victim and any witnesses.
3. Outcome:
The investigation team will submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Board of “Drumul Vietii” within 30 days of receiving the complaint.
4. Action:
Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken based on the findings. Legal authorities will be involved if necessary.
8. Partnerships and Subcontracting
Partner Compliance: “Drumul Vietii” requires all partners and subcontractors to adhere to PSEA standards and will include PSEA clauses in all agreements, outlining expectations and consequences for non-compliance.
9. Monitoring and Accountability
Regular Audits: “Drumul Vietii” is committed to conducting periodic reviews of PSEA policies and procedures to ensure effectiveness and monitoring compliance through internal audits and assessments.
10. Protection from Retaliation
“Drumul Vietii” prohibits retaliation against individuals who report SEA allegations in good faith. Any act of retaliation will result in disciplinary action.
11. Consequences of Breach
Violation of this policy will lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal, and may involve criminal prosecution.
12. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to incorporate lessons learned, evolving best practices, and updates in international standards.