7- Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) is a serious violation of trust, dignity, and fundamental human rights. It not only harms individuals and communities but also severely undermines humanitarian efforts. Preventing and addressing SEA is a shared responsibility of all humanitarian actors, requiring a strong commitment to accountability, ethical conduct, and survivor-centered approaches.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to PSEA, helping participants understand the root causes, power dynamics, and far-reaching consequences of SEA in humanitarian settings. Participants will explore core principles and standards of conduct, including practical strategies for preventing SEA, recognizing risks, and ensuring safe and effective reporting mechanisms.

Through real-world case scenarios and interactive learning activities, this course equips humanitarian workers with the tools and knowledge to identify, prevent, and respond to SEA incidents while fostering a culture of protection and accountability. Additionally, participants will examine the critical role of community engagement and awareness-raising initiatives in creating safer humanitarian environments.

By the end of this course, learners will be prepared to uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior and contribute to the prevention of harm, protection of affected populations, and strengthening of trust within humanitarian response efforts.

To learn more about the efficacy of online learning and online learning at NextGenU.org please see “A Novel Integration of Online and Flipped Classroom Instructional Models in Public Health Higher Education,” (2014), BMC Medical Education, “Building Public Health Capacity through Online Global Learning,” (2018), Open Praxis, or on NextGenU.org’s publication page.

There are five micro-lessons to complete, which include:

1. Introduction to Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA)
2. The standards of conduct on sexual exploitation and abuse
3. Obligations of Humanitarian Organizational personnel
4. Consequences of sexual exploitation and abuse
5. Responsibilities of heads of offices and heads of departments

Each micro-lesson takes approximately 15-20 minutes and includes interactive activities and questions to reinforce key concepts. These activities are ungraded and designed to support active learning—participants can attempt them as many times as needed. There are notes and documents provided within the microlessons. You do not need to read all of them before continuing the microlessons, they are provided to you as supplemental resources for your reference whenever you may need it.

At the end of the course, participants must pass a scenario-based quiz that applies their learning to real-world humanitarian challenges. Once you’ve passed the final exam, you will receive a badge from NextGenU.org and our course’s co-sponsoring organizations. We keep your personal information confidential, never sell any of your information, and only use anonymized data for research purposes. Also, we are happy to report your testing information and share your work with anyone (your school, employer, etc.) at your request.

Engaging with this Course:

You can enroll in this course or  browse this course for free for personal enrichment; there are no requirements.

To obtain a badge, a learner must successfully complete:

• All the reading requirements
• All quizzes and pass with a 70% with unlimited attempts
• All activities
• The final exam
• The self and course evaluation forms

NextGenU.org is happy to provide your institution with

• A link to and description of the course training so that they can see all its components, including the cosponsoring universities and other professional organization cosponsors;
• Your grade on the final exam;
• Your work products (e.g., case study activities), and any other required or optional shared materials that you produce and authorize to share with them; 
• Your evaluations -- course and self-assessments;
• A copy of your badge, along with the co-sponsoring universities and other organizations listed.

Next Steps

• Take the short knowledge pre-test. It allows us to assess various aspects of the course itself.
• Complete the registration form.
• Begin the course with Lesson 1:Introduction to Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA)
• In each lesson, read the description, complete all required readings and any required activity, and take the corresponding quizzes.

Disclaimer: This content is designed to enhance your study; we cannot guarantee that the successful completion of these materials will enable you to work in your place of residence as regulations vary by location. If you plan to practice using your new knowledge, to ensure safety and compliance with your local laws, you must successfully complete a program of study approved by the government and relevant local regulatory agencies in your place of practice. 

NextGenU.org does not directly confer academic degrees or guarantee that learning institutions will accept NextGenU.org coursework for credit.