IASC Sets a New Benchmark for SEA Investigations
The IASC's first victim-centered SEA investigation manual sets a new benchmark: trauma-informed practice, community partnership, victim feedback, and investigator wellbeing.
On 22 July 2025, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) released its first dedicated investigators' manual for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) complaints: A Victim-Centered Approach to the Investigation of SEA Complaints. This is a milestone in establishing consistent investigative standards across humanitarian and development settings.
While many in the sector use the term survivor-centered, the manual deliberately uses victim-centered to reflect investigative and legal terminology in UN frameworks.
The goal remains the same: placing dignity, safety, and agency at the heart of every investigative step.
📥 You can download the IASC investigators' manual in English here.
Trauma-informed methods are no longer considered optional. The manual frames them as a baseline requirement.
This shift is about ensuring every interaction with victims prioritizes their emotional and physical safety while still enabling robust evidence gathering.
Adapt interview methods to the needs of each individual, including pacing, language, and setting.
Provide access to support persons or psycho-social services during interviews.
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Topics: SEAH & Safeguarding · Investigations
