During December 2022 and January 2023, the IOM team organized seven trainings on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) for professionals working with Ukrainian people, including the management of the Humanitarian Centre in Gabcikovo, employees from Mareena, the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic and IOM staff members.

In early February, IOM team members providing services and assistance at the Humanitarian Centre in Gabcikovo with almost 1,000 Ukrainian refugees, strenghtened their skills in the PSEA as well.

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse training in Bratislava. Photo © International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2023.

During these months, 63 participants learned what sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment are and what differentiates them. Moreover, IOM raised their awareness on how to recognize the mistreatment and its impacts both on survivors but also on the whole community. 

“The training for the staff in Gabcikovo aimed at enhancing staff's skills on how to create a safe environment for all clients, how to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and how to react when solving specific situations. Apart from the theoretical background, the participants also had the possibility to go through practical case scenarios and train various situations.”

– Jana Hönschová, a member of IOM Slovakia team at the Humanitarian Centre in Gabcikovo

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse training in Gabcikovo. Photo © International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2023.

As a result, participants can now better understand their position of power and the way it can lead to various forms of exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Once the training was over, participants were provided with important contacts which they can use to report cases safely and discreetly.

“Abuse and exploitation of people receiving help are global concerns and IOM as an institution has played a key leadership role in promoting stronger safeguards and standards at the global level. IOM has a policy of zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse and this commitment includes responsibilities that all staff are obliged to follow.”

– Alexandra Filčáková, IOM Slovakia lecturer

More information:

Protection and capacity building - International Organization for Migration (IOM) Slovakia

With the support of:

 U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration