The “R.a.i.a” delegation to the UN held an enriching and significant meeting with the UN SEA team, focusing on identifying and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in conflict and crisis areas. The meeting took place in a professional and open atmosphere, serving as an important convergence point between field insights and international operational methodologies.
The SEA team expressed great interest in our work, particularly in identifying indicators of sexual violence, a topic of special importance in areas where direct reporting by victims is not always feasible or willing. The discussion emphasized that sexual violence in conflict situations can take various forms, often subtle or concealed, and that indicators can serve as a crucial tool for detecting and understanding these incidents.
We also discussed the profound challenges associated with disclosure and reporting: in many cases, victims are unable or sometimes unwilling to recount their experiences. Therefore, developing a designated set of indicators creates a safer environment for women, enables indirect and sensitive identification of abuses, and contributes to a deeper understanding of the phenomenon’s scope.
The meeting was positive, connecting, and inspiring, laying the groundwork for future collaborations to advance processes of identification, recognition, and response to sexual violence in complex environments under international involvement.
