Background
DFAT does not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment (SEAH) of any kind.
We continue to be proactive in combatting SEAH, building on longstanding systems and procedures in social safeguarding and child protection.
Australia has made a number of international commitments:
- The Prime Minister is a member of the UN Secretary General's Circle of Leadership, making a commitment to strengthen measures to prevent SEAH
- Australia endorsed the Joint Statement and 22 Commitments [PDF 465 KB] at the UK-led International Summit to Tackle Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment in the Aid Sector in October 2018
- Australia signed the Tidewater Joint Statement on Combatting Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Development and Humanitarian Sectors and the Whistler Declaration on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in International Assistance in June 2018.
DFAT's Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Policy
DFAT has a new Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Policy (August 2025). It applies to all DFAT business in Australia and overseas, including to all DFAT staff, DFAT partners and downstream partners.
Scope of PSEAH Policy
The PSEAH Policy applies to all DFAT business. This includes, but is not limited to, the business carried out by partners and contractors working across Development and Humanitarian programs, Foreign Policy and Diplomacy, Corporate, Trade, Passports, Consular Services, Scholarships and Fellowships, Volunteers, Labour Mobility and Public Diplomacy activities.
PSEAH Policy Principles
The Policy is underpinned by the following principles.
- Principle 1: Zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment
- Principle 2: Take a victim-survivor-centred approach to SEAH prevention and response
- Principle 3: Promote inclusion and equity and recognise diversity
- Principle 4: Prioritise prevention
- Principle 5: Adopt an empowering and participatory approach
- Principle 6: Reporting incidents is mandatory
- Principle 7: Embed safeguarding into organisational culture and leadership
Risk-Based Approach
The Policy applies a risk-based approach, ensuring that PSEAH Standards are proportionate to the level of risk. Further guidance and details on the Standards and the risk-based approach are provided in the PSEAH Policy (August 2025) and in the Child and Adult Safeguards Implementation Handbook for staff and partners (May 2026) on the updated approach to risk assessments and relevant standards.
DFAT PSEAH Policy and Child and Adult Safeguards Handbook for staff and partners
- DFAT Protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment Policy (2025) [PDF 363 KB]
- DFAT Protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment Policy (2025) [DOCX 1.1 MB]
- Child and Adult Safeguards Implementation Handbook for staff and partners [DOCX 1.3MB]
- Child and Adult Safeguards Implementation Handbook for staff and partners [PDF 2MB]
Keeping People Safe: DFAT’s Safeguarding Policies in Pictures
These simple child and adult safeguards materials convey key messages from DFAT’s Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and Child Protection policies for small community-based organisations and downstream partners.
Designed to build understanding and boost safeguarding capabilities the materials include a poster, a brochure and a video serving as a quick guide for communities and implementing partners in simple and accessible language. The editable formats allow for the brochure and poster to be translated in local languages and adapted to the look and feel of different cultural contexts where DFAT operates.
The key message ‘keeping people safe’ focuses on expected and unacceptable behaviours within a community setting, and by staff and partners working in small or locally based organisations. The materials encourage partners to take responsibility for ensuring staff are aware of their obligations under DFAT’s Child Protection and PSEAH policies, understand key safeguarding concepts, and have readily available information to report any alleged, suspected or actual incidents of sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment (SEAH) or harm to adults or children.
Download
- Brochure: Keeping People Safe [PDF 4 MB]
- Brochure: Keeping People Safe [DOCX 48 KB]
- Poster: Keeping People Safe [PDF 4 MB]
- Poster: Keeping People Safe [DOCX 67 KB]
Video
Reports and notifications
If you wish to report an instance, suspicion or allegation of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment you may do so by using the following form:
- Child Protection and SEAH Incident Notification form [DOCX 215 KB]
- Child Protection and SEAH Incident Notification form [PDF 190 KB]
Reports of sexual exploitation and abuse of children, or concerns about child welfare are covered by DFAT’s Child Protection Policy 2025
Other support
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment, and need assistance, you can contact one of the following in Australia:
- Emergency (if you or someone you know is in danger): 000
- 1800RESPECT - the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service: 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: 13 11 14