Events
Panel discussion on a victims’ rights approach to sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment
On 29 January 2024, the Victims’ Rights Advocate hosted a panel discussion on a victims’ rights approach to sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment, including Ms. Suzie Miller, playwright and author, Ms. Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General of Management Strategy, Policy, and Compliance, and Ms. Kirsi Madi, Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships at UN Women. The event featured scenes from a film recording of Ms. Miller's award-winning, one-woman play Prima Facie, which explores the journey of a criminal defence lawyer navigating barriers to justice after being sexually assaulted. The event aimed to raise awareness and shed light on the challenges faced by victims of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Participants’ questions, comments and the ensuing discussion emphasized the need for a rights-based approach and fostered reflection on upholding their rights and dignity.
‘Fit for PSEAH?’ Forum Theatre events
In October 2023, in the context of the ‘Women, Peace and Security’ month, the Office of the Victims’ Rights Advocate, UN Women and UNICEF co-sponsored two performances of the interactive theatre ‘Fit for PSEAH?’, an event developed and organized by Switzerland. The first performance took place on 9 October 2023 at UNICEF headquarters before a high-level audience including the President of the General Assembly, International Gender Champions, Member States’ Permanent Representatives and senior United Nations officials. A second expert-level performance was held on 11 October 2023 for Member States’ delegations and United Nations staff. The interactive theatre used thought-provoking scenarios based on real-life situations of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and sexual harassment and invited the audience to reflect critically on the conduct that may amount to sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment and the impact these wrongs have on victims. It addressed difficult issues innovatively and generated lively discussion.
Online Event - "Strengthening the United Nations’ victim-centred response to sexual exploitation and abuse through partnerships with national human rights institutions – challenges and opportunities"
On 28 October 2021, OVRA and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) jointly organized an online event on the sidelines of the 76th session of the General Assembly. This event aimed to provide a platform for Senior Victims’ Rights Officers and representatives of NHRIs to present examples of good practice and opportunities for collaboration between United Nations stakeholders and NHRIs (through GANHRI) to support the realization of victims’ rights to assistance and support. The event was co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Australia, the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica, the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Online event – “Voices from the Field”
On the 28th of October 2020 - The United Nations Victims’ Rights Advocate hosted an online event “Voices from the Field” on 28 October. Briefing by the Field Victims’ Rights Advocate and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Coordinators on progress and challenges in the field. The event was co-sponsored by the UK Mission to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Kingdom of Bhutan, the Permanent Mission of South Africa, and the Office of the Special Coordinator on improving the UN response to sexual exploitation and abuse.