To highlight that:

it is a very serious issue, 

we support the victims

the measures to confirm the information have been already taken

The Organisation will be the first to take legal action if confirm.

 

What would you advise her not to say?

Not to say statements similar to “the Organisation is made by humans and humans make mistakes”

Steps being taken in the investigation. 

Institutional efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future. Zero tolerance policy.

Support to the victims and their families.

 

No to say:

ID of the UN personelle or the victims.

Underestimating the abuse and similar acts.

·       Ensure the RC uses the appropriate emotional tone and body language when conveying his/her messages.

·       Advise the RC to start with an opening statement that acknowledges the victims and to assure that investigation is underway. 

·       Remind the RC NOT to share any personal details on the staff being investigated.
·   Remind the RC to respect the agreed-upon script with the UNCT

·       Remind the RC not to be defensive to the media’s questions. After all, their right and duty are to ask challenging and tough questions.

·       Stress that the UN has policies in place and regular awareness-raising training being held for UN Personnel and implementing partners, particularly humanitarian partners, to prevent sexual abuse and misconduct. Also mention that the UN has appropriate referral mechanisms that would help ensure no such cases of SEA would happen in the future. 

·       Survivors and victims should be at the center of the RC messages, i.e. the RC must put the victims first in his/her messaging. The RC can highlight here the UN’s support to victims and survivors, with regards to providing immediate services such as legal aid, psychological support, maybe shelter and basic assistance, medical care etc. 

- UN expresses empathy with the individuals affected

- investigation is underway 

- not possible to provide full details on situation in order to protect the identify of the affected

- UN to support those affected through available means (psychosocial support, etc.)

- immediate action will be taken to address the situation (and explain what this entails - dismissal, repatriation, legal action, role of local / national authorities).
- Recognize accusation and explain that UN will provide more information as it becomes available

Not to say: 
- Accept / attribute guilt (as investigation not yet complete)
- Do not share names / details of the case

- Make sure to acknowledge his/her understanding of the situation and the harm that was caused; the situation of the victims. Condemn all forms of SEA.
- Explain what is being done in terms of investigation and its consequences
- Focus on preventive measures that are in place and key lessons learned
- Finish by hilighting previous positive achievements in Tonga

 

Don’ts 

 

For the RC, I would suggest him/her to stick with the key messags we are going deliver even if the interviewers try to push him/her to go beyond this issue. I would advise him/her with possible risks if interviewers respond more forcefully to make RC answer the question and not to be panic or 🤬 off but respond him/her sincerely why we care about it and what we are going to do about it.

-          Refer to UN values and zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse policy.

-          Refer to due process in the UN system.

-          Refer to likely penalties for those who might be found to have committed any infringements.

-          Advise RC not to be defensive, and to be empathetic.

-          Not to take the blame while explaining unfolding procedures. 

-          Not to mention or dwell on names of specific individuals.

I would advise the RC not to confirm all allegations but to advise the interviewer that investigations are ongoing, without being defensive.  

What would you advise the RC to say in the interview? 

·        Bridge answers when possible.

·        Say only has been approved.

What would you advise her not to say?

·        Don’t say “no comment”.

To remain objective.

To reveal new information, so that the UN gets more credibility and trusty.

To indirectly address rumors and misinformation by stating the right informations.

To concentrate on the key message.

For RC

1- Prepare key messages and general script on different topics anticipated to be brought up

2- Share key data that is/could be of interest to the interviewer

3- Share background on the newspaper/interviewer: professional and personal to bring them to use when relevant — for example, if the interviewer has a daughter or a sister, how can that information be leveraged into our advantage while answering (RC: Our mission is ensure that my daughter and your daughter and their friends are protected, regardless of where they are)

4- scenarios of how to handle difficult questions politely 

5- How to use the rule of 3 in difficult questions to center the attention about 3 main key messages to be highlighted: 3 main steps, 3 main actions, etc.

6- avoid details, avoid names, avoid sharing uncertain information

7- balance empathy with firmness/strength