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International development

Preventing and combatting sexual exploitation and abuse

August 3, 2020

At Développement international Desjardins (DID), we know that any form of sexual exploitation and abuse is a violation of human rights. We’ve always taken a zero-tolerance approach to this behaviour, and we’re strongly committed to preventing and combatting it. That’s why we’ve developed and adopted a code of conduct to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse.

We’re educating everyone involved in our projects and initiatives. We ask our partner organizations, Canadian, international and in-country employees and managers, as well as our volunteer specialists, interns and consultants to abide by the guiding principles set out in the Code of Conduct to Prevent Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

Our code of conduct clearly states our expectations to protect people’s well-being, prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, respond quickly and effectively to any allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, and take the appropriate measures with the people held responsible for such behaviour. We’re also committed to supporting victims of sexual exploitation and abuse while respecting their safety and right to privacy.

By setting out the principles for preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, our code of conduct aims to ensure that everyone has a positive, respectful and professional workplace where no one experiences or commits such violations.

In 2018, we also signed the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) Leaders’ Pledge on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct External link. This link will open in a new window..

See our Code of conduct to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse(PDF, 3.1 MB) External link. This link will open in a new window.