UN staff in Thailand strengthen knowledge on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse
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In August 2025, United Nations (UN) personnel in Thailand took part in a series of small-group trainings on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). Organized by the UN Country Team’s inter-agency PSEA Task Force, the sessions reflected a system-wide commitment to building awareness, strengthening accountability, and ensuring safe and respectful workplaces.
The initiative brought together the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Thailand under a One UN approach, pooling resources to address PSEA while emphasizing that safeguarding affected populations is a shared responsibility.
The training was delivered through multiple unrecorded sessions to create space for active discussion. A dedicated session was convened by the Resident Coordinator for Heads of Agencies, while a training-of-trainers session equipped focal points and human resources officers with the skills to cascade learning within their agencies.
“We looked at how to be an active bystander, how to recognize and respond if something happens, and how to change our own behaviour,” explained Yanthe Cornelissen, Head of the Sexual Misconduct Unit at UNDP, who facilitated the training together with members of the PSEA task force in Thailand. “The victim-centred approach is central to everything we do.”
The training was built around interactive case studies drawn on real-life incidents. Participants practised recognizing signs of abuse, setting clear boundaries and applying reporting procedures.
For Maria Fe Villena, a Language Service Assistant at ESCAP, the format worked well: “It was a good way to refresh and strengthen our understanding of PSEA. The training reminded us what to do when faced with sensitive situations.”
The training also helped clarify reporting pathways. “I was not familiar with the mechanisms or clear about the focal points,” said Ladawan Pitipala, Senior Staff Assistant at ESCAP. “Now I know where to turn.”
For others, the training highlighted the responsibility each staff member carries. “Adopting PSEA is not only about compliance with regulations, it is about humanity,” said Pipat Poopeerasupong, Programme Management Officer at the UN Environment Programme. “We all have a responsibility to observe and report potential misconduct.”
A coordinated effort
Established in 2020, the UNCT PSEA Task Force brings together focal points from across the UN system in Thailand to coordinate policy, share expertise and uphold common standards on prevention and response. Annual PSEA training for UN personnel in Bangkok forms part of the Task Force’s Action Plan, with UN Women serving as Chair.
“Inter-agency trainings such as these, at regional and country levels, show how collective effort can strengthen a culture of respect and accountability within the UN system and among our partners, and help every staff member feel confident to act in line with a survivor-centred approach,” said Christine Arab, Regional Director of UN Women Asia and the Pacific and Representative to the Kingdom of Thailand.
“Our aim is to strengthen awareness among personnel, ensure clarity on UN rules and build confidence to respond appropriately if misconduct is observed or experienced,” said Iwona Spytkowski, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Thailand and PSEA Coordinator. “Regular training ensures that all personnel, regardless of contract type or function, are equipped to recognize, prevent and respond appropriately.”
With over 40 UN entities based in Bangkok and thousands of delegates visiting each year, Thailand hosts one of the largest UN presences in Asia. The Task Force plays a central role in ensuring consistent standards of conduct across this diverse system.