The management of allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel in peace operations is a complicated matter. Several actors are involved and many steps have to be taken. More than often we have struggled to clarify the process and simplify it to our various audiences and among ourselves.

PAS in consultation with the DFS Conduct and Discipline Unit has designed and developed the attached infographic. This new tool aims to visualise in a clear, linear and colour-coded way the process. It is not by any means exhaustive of every single step taken along the way.

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There is a colour code for a Member State-led investigative process (green) and a UN-led investigative process (blue).

There are three significant points in highlighted in yellow: Report received, Decision Point and Conclusion of Disciplinary Case. The process between the receipt of the report and the decision point is critical to clarify to our audiences since there is a widespread misunderstanding often reflected in the media that when a report is received, it should be immediately classified and counted as a case of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Our goal with this visualisation tool is also to highlight the victims-centred approach in our policy and signal that this is a dynamic and circular process. When a disciplinary case is concluded, the victims support may continue; and the results need to be reported back to the victim and the source.