A Trust Fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse was established in March 2016. Focusing on improving the ability of the United Nations to provide protection and support to the victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, the trust fund is aimed at, among other things, engaging in community outreach and addressing service gaps in the provision of assistance and support for complainants, victims and children born as a result of sexual exploitation and abuse. The Trust Fund will not be used to provide compensation to complainants or victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Speaking at an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York in May 2016, Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, emphasized that the priority must be for the Organization to provide victims with support and assistance.

 “First and foremost, the victims – many of whom are children – need our protection and support,” he said. “The provision of assistance to victims is an area where experience has shown that the United Nations needs additional resources and strong collaboration among peacekeeping, the United Nations and local actors to have a tangible impact.”

The Secretary-General has called upon all Member States to contribute to the trust fund to demonstrate the shared commitment to providing meaningful assistance to those who have been victimized by UN personnel. To date, contributions have been made by Bhutan, Cyprus, India, Japan and Norway. In June 2016, Member States also agreed (A/RES/70/286) that payments withheld in substantiated cases of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel should be transferred to the trust fund.