Global Human Rights Clinic submits review of UN Bulletin on the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Upon request from the United Nations personnel, Notre Dame Law School’s Global Human Rights Clinic has produced and submitted a review of the UN Secretary General Bulletin on the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The review applies international law, as well as scientific and expert research on subject matters.
Clinic interns Mary Pat Peterson, Elizabeth Martin, Portia Ozioma Chigbu, and Grace Kemgang worked on the document, under the supervision of Clinic Director Diane Desierto and Staff Attorney Specialist Jean Marc Brissau.
Read the submitted review here.
"The Global Human Rights Clinic played a crucial role in reviewing the Secretary-General's Bulletin on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, advocating for a victim-centered approach that prioritizes protection, legal assistance, and access to justice for survivors. Through our work, we emphasized the importance of shifting focus from perpetrators to victims, ensuring staff training, community participation, and robust preventive mechanisms for the maximum protection and empowerment for vulnerable exploited survivors, ultimately promoting a more inclusive and supportive response to sexual exploitation and abuse." -Jean Marc Brissau, Staff Attorney, Notre Dame Law School Global Human Rights Clinic
"Working on the project was a valuable opportunity to enhance the prevention and protection mechanisms for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse survivors globally. This submission aligns with Notre Dame's theme, 'What do we owe each other?' about collectively promoting healing in the midst of suffering, division, and injustice. I am grateful to the Global Human Rights Clinic for this opportunity." -Portia Ozioma Chigbu, LL.M. student
"The UN OSCEA project made me realize the different forms advocacy can take and how important it is to have mandates and procedures that change when issues arise. The Global Human Rights Clinic and the Law School need to be involved in efforts like this because we should always be leaders of impactful change, addressing injustice as soon as it arises. I am looking forward to how our changes are received by the United Nations and am humbled to know that our project led to greater prevention of sexual abuse and shed light on victims of sexual abuse, who often do not have access to advocacy." -Grace Kemgang, 2L
"This was an extremely important matter for the Global Human Rights Clinic to contribute to. I’m very grateful that I got to learn more about this paramount issue while also making meaningful contributions to its improvement." -Elizabeth Martin, 2L
"Working with the clinic on projects like this has enabled me to gain practical experience working in the legal field and contribute to human rights advocacy in a meaningful way. Transparency and accountability are some of the best tools to prevent future cases of sexual exploitation and abuse by the UN, and I am proud to have been a part of Notre Dame's contribution to the ongoing reform.
"I cannot say enough about the clinic staff attorneys and our advisor, Professor Desierto. Notre Dame is incredibly lucky to have such a skilled team of attorneys at the Global Human Rights Clinic. I am honored to have had the opportunity to benefit from their mentorship and guidance." -Mary Pat Peterson, 2L
Originally published by at ndlsglobalhumanrights.nd.edu on October 04, 2024.