Christian Saunders assumed the role of Special Coordinator on improving United Nations response to sexual exploitation and abuse (Special Coordinator) on 1 September 2022. He takes over this role from Jane Hall Lute who had held the position since March 2016. His role is to work across the United Nations system’s many offices, departments and agencies to strengthen the UN response to sexual exploitation and abuse, wherever it may occur, from headquarters locations to the most remote field bases. Mr. Saunders coordinates efforts across the United Nations System to align approaches, enhance cooperation and coherence system-wide through the development and adoption of aligned mechanisms and procedures, standardized protocols and tools, etc.
In March 2024, Najla Nassif Palma was appointed as the Victims’ Rights Advocate for the United Nations. She succeeds Jane Connors of Australia, who was the Organization’s first Victims’ Rights Advocate.
As Victims’ Rights Advocate, Ms. Nassif Palma will work to further the United Nations' commitment to putting the rights and dignity of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse at the forefront of its prevention and response efforts.
She brings to the role 25 years of experience as a civilian federal prosecutor of military crimes and violence against women, where she has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between the military and civilian justice systems, implementing international humanitarian law, and ensuring a comprehensive approach to combating sexual exploitation and abuse. Her holistic vision will guide the United Nations’ prevention and response initiatives, to ensure they remain victim-centered and effective.
The Department for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) is responsible for enforcing United Nations policies on conduct in UN peace operations. In this regard, DMSPC works closely with the Department for Peace Operations and the Department for Peacebuilding and Political Affairs. The Conduct and Discipline Service (CDS), which is part of DMSPC’s Administrative Law Division, provides overall direction for conduct and discipline issues, including on combatting sexual exploitation and abuse. CDS’s work includes formulating policies, developing training and awareness raising activities and ensuring oversight of the handling of allegations of misconduct. CDS liaises with Member States on allegations of misconduct involving their uniformed personnel. Conduct and Discipline Teams in UN peace operations advise heads of mission on conduct and discipline issues, provide training for peacekeeping personnel on UN rules, conduct outreach and awareness raising activities, receive and assess misconduct allegations, and coordinate victim assistance efforts.
As part of the UN's new strategy to combat sexual exploitation and abuse, this issue is for the first time being acknowledged as a system-wide one, which requires a common approach. Therefore, as part of his strategy, the Secretary-General has asked Agencies, Funds and Programmes to adopt new measures and strengthen existing ones to better prevent, detect, report and take action against personnel, who commit these inexcusable and abhorrent acts.