Statement by Ambassador Henri-Paul Normandin, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Canada, on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand to the United Nations General Assembly regarding Item 114 on the Implementation of the UN Comprehensive Strategy on Assistance and Support to Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN Staff and Related Personnel, delivered on 16 November 2009.
(as delivered)
Canada, Australia and New Zealand welcome the report of the Secretary General on the Implementation of the UN Comprehensive Strategy on Assistance and Support to Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN Staff and Related Personnel. Since the Strategy’s adoption two years ago, progress on its implementation has been slow. However, significant inroads have been made towards ensuring that provision of assistance and support to victims in the future will be possible.
The SG’s Report identifies a number of key actions and initiatives which have been undertaken since its adoption, such as the Best Practice Series of the Task Force on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The Report also describes the challenges facing the Strategy’s implementation, which include the lack of community-based reporting and complaints mechanisms to deal with such cases.
With an issue as sensitive and personal as sexual exploitation and abuse, it is easy to understand that victims may find it difficult to come forward and report on what they have endured - the issue of under-reporting is all too familiar in these circumstances.
Canada, Australia and New Zealand believe it is essential that the UN system continue its work to implement the Strategy, and that this work is undertaken in a comprehensive, system-wide manner. In-country mechanisms to facilitate access for victims to much-needed services will not be established, and overall protection from sexual exploitation and abuse will not be achieved, without the whole UN system – humanitarian, development and peacekeeping personnel – being on board and working together.
It is crucial that work on this Strategy continues so that victims are offered the assistance they need and deserve. Canada, Australia and New Zealand strongly endorse continued implementation of the Strategy, and support the next steps outlined in the Secretary General’s report.