top of page
Research
The RESPONDER Partnership conducts interdisciplinary research to better understand responder-perpetrated sexual exploitation and abuse (RP-SEA) and to support more effective, ethical, and survivor-centred responses. Our work focuses on generating evidence that reflects community perspectives and lived experiences, particularly in contexts affected by humanitarian crises and peacekeeping operations.
Research Overview
What the research examines
The research examines how sexual exploitation and abuse by responders is experienced, understood, and addressed across different settings. While policies and reporting mechanisms exist, many incidents are believed to go unreported due to fear, stigma, power imbalances, and limited trust in accountability systems.
​
RESPONDER seeks to better understand these dynamics by centring community perspectives and examining how social, institutional, and contextual factors shape reporting, accountability, and support.​
Responders
Research objectives
​The RESPONDER Partnership is guided by the following objectives:
-
To improve understanding of the scale and nature of RP-SEA in selected contexts.
-
To examine barriers to reporting and explore alternative, safer pathways to accountability.
-
To understand how experiences and access to justice differ across groups, including women, men, LGBTQI+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.
-
To strengthen collaboration between researchers, civil society organizations, and community partners.
-
To generate evidence-based recommendations for policy, practice, and prevention.
-
To support training and mentorship for students and emerging researchers working in this field.
Research approach
RESPONDER uses mixed-methods research approaches tailored to each context. Methods are selected in collaboration with local partners and are designed to capture perspectives that may not be visible through formal reporting systems alone.
Approaches may include qualitative interviews, participatory methods, and other context-appropriate techniques that prioritize safety, confidentiality, and respect for participants. Findings are interpreted collaboratively to ensure they are grounded in local realities and meaningful for policy and practice.
Ethics and participant safety
Ethical research practice is central to the RESPONDER Partnership. All research activities are guided by a “do no harm” approach and adhere to relevant ethical review processes.
​
Participation in the research is voluntary, informed consent is required, and personal identifiers are not collected. Research teams are trained to minimize risk, respond appropriately to distress, and provide referrals to support services where appropriate. Safeguarding participant dignity, autonomy, and confidentiality is a priority throughout the research process.
From research to impact
RESPONDER is committed to ensuring that research findings are accessible and useful beyond academic audiences. Evidence generated through the partnership is shared through publications, reports, and knowledge-mobilization activities aimed at supporting:
-
Improved prevention strategies.
-
Stronger accountability mechanisms.
-
Survivor-centred and inclusive responses.
-
Policy and program development informed by community perspectives.
bottom of page