All populations with whom the organisation works must have access to a system to report safeguarding/sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH) concerns.

The most effective community-based reporting systems are developed with community members. They recognise the barriers to reporting that a survivor may experience based on their gender, disability, race, age and other intersecting identities. The most effective community-based reporting mechanisms provide a range of options for raising concerns or reporting harm. Many organisations integrate mechanisms for reporting safeguarding/SEAH concerns into wider feedback and complaint mechanisms.

As with speak up and whistle blowing systems for staff, CBRMs must be survivor-centred and prioritise the survivor’s rights, needs and wishes.

Sylvia Nwoko is a communications consultant at the RSH Nigeria Hub. For over 20 years, she has worked in various private sector organisations in training, administrative, business development, and project management roles. Sylvia discovered a…
This 9-minute animation provides an overview of how to set up and manage a community feedback mechanism (CFM) in Nigeria. It outlines 10 steps to setting up a CFM and a further 6 points to keep in mind to maintain an effective CFM. This animation is…
These Inter-agency Complaint and Feedback Boxes (CFB) leaflets developed by the Iraq PSEA Network introduce the complaint and feedback box and provide advice on how to use it. Contact details are given for urgent or sensitive matters. It includes a…
The how-to note outlines what a community-based complaints mechanism (CBCM) is, and how civil society organisations in general humanitarian and developing settings can set up and manage a CBCM.
This set of three guidance modules aims to help Save the Children country offices improve their feedback and reporting mechanisms based on the recognition that there have been challenges in these areas. The modules cover: 1) Creating an inclusive…
This report by the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) provides guidance on how to develop a policy for handling safeguarding complaints. The guidance is intended for ACFID member organisations to guide them in the development,…
These course materials are from a two-day workshop on how to establish Community-Based Complaints Mechanisms (CBCM). It is aimed at staff who design and implement measures that protect from sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). It includes a…
The guide is based on the lessons learned from an Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) pilot project to establish interagency complaint mechanisms in order to compile best practices and address a gap in the collective response to prevent and…
Everyone has the right to report sensitive stories safely Organisations are required to provide a way for people to report sensitive stories, including complaints of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, gender based violence, exploitation,…

 
 

Safeguarding Essentials