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 and in the Interim Guidance on the updated approach to risk assessments and relevant standards (August 2025).

DFAT PSEAH Policy and Interim Guidance

• 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]
   
• Interim guidance on the updated approach to risk assessments and relevant standards (August 2025) [DOCX 410 KB]
• Interim guidance on the updated approach to risk assessments and relevant standards (August 2025) [PDF 4.5 MB]

Reporting

• Reports of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment or concerns about the welfare of a vulnerable person should be notified to seah.reports@dfat.gov.au using the SEAH DFAT Incident Notification Form. Reporting procedures are detailed in the PSEAH Policy.
• Reports of sexual exploitation and abuse of children, or concerns about child welfare are covered by DFAT's Child Protection Policy 2025.

Supporting resources

• SEAH Incident Notification Form - June 2019 [DOCX 170 KB]
• SEAH Incident Notification Form - June 2019 [PDF 207 KB] 
   
• Guidance on assessing the risk of SEAH - June 2019 [DOCX 492 KB]
• Guidance on assessing the risk of SEAH - June 2019 [PDF 524 KB] - June 2019

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