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What every WASH professional should know about sexual corruption in water and sanitation

Frequently Asked Questions





Understanding sexual corruption, or "sex for water"

 

  1. What is sexual corruption in water and sanitation?


Sexual corruption, or "sextortion", is a form of corruption where sex — rather than money — is the currency of a bribe. It occurs when someone in a position of power abuses that power to get sexual acts in exchange for a service, opportunity, or benefit.


In the water and sanitation sectors for example, someone could be coerced into sexual acts to:

  • Get access to water

  • Obtain or renew water connections

  • Skip long queues, expedite long processes, or avoid inflated prices

  • Gain access to toilets or bathing areas


Sexual corruption can happen anywhere: in schools, workplaces, administrative offices, or when accessing essential services like WASH or healthcare, anywhere in the world. Women are most often affected but others can be affected too.


The term was first popularised by the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) in 2009, and it is now recognised globally as both a form of corruption and a form of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This double definition is important. It highlights that sexual corruption is not like other forms of gender-based violence and not like other forms of abuse of power.


Sexual corruption in water and sanitation reflects unequal access and power dynamics. It is linked to gender inequality, corruption, and poor infrastructure. It limits the human rights to water and sanitation and violates basic human rights principles of equal rights and non-discrimination.



  1. What makes sexual corruption different from other forms of GBV in the water and sanitation sectors?


Sexual corruption is a hybrid abuse:

  • It is sexual exploitation/abuse (because it violates bodily autonomy).

  • It is corruption (because it involves the misuse of entrusted power and a coercive “exchange”).

Even if physical violence is not used, there is hidden pressure to engage, especially as water and sanitation are basic and essential.


Most legal systems treat sexual violence and corruption as separate crimes, leaving sexual corruption in a grey area. When laws do not explicitly recognise the act, victims struggle to seek justice.


The transactional element of sexual corruption complicates recognition and also reporting. Even where laws exist, survivors often lack safe, confidential ways to report incidents or access legal aid and psychological or social support in the water and sanitation sectors and beyond. Survivors fear they will be wrongly portrayed as complicit and there are reports they also distrust the police and judiciary to take action.


Furthermore, the sexual element means it is not, or rarely, detected or covered by tradition anti-corruption systems. Corruption reporting mechanisms are still too rarely oriented to protect or support victims.


As a result, sexual corruption remains very much taboo. Perpetrators remain unpunished, and the cycle of abuse continues.



  1. Is sexual corruption really common in the water and sanitation sectors?


Women have specific water and sanitation needs. In many places, women and girls also collect and manage water for their households. When access is limited or controlled, by meter readers, repair workers, water truck operators, contractors, informal providers, or landlords, women are then on the front line for abuse. Scarcity and poor services, high levels of informality, long distances to facilities, weak oversight, or unclear complaint systems increase the power imbalance and the risk.


Though it is poorly documented or studied, there is evidence that sexual corruption in water and sanitation is widespread but taboo. Cases have been reported in the water and sanitation sectors in many countries including Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Colombia, and the United States. More extensive research has also been carried out in Kenya, Mexico, Bangladesh, and Uganda.



  1. How does sexual corruption affect women’s rights and wellbeing?


Sexual corruption violates the human rights to water, sanitation, and the principles of equality, and dignity. Victims face physical, psychological, and social harm. Many experience depression, anxiety, or trauma, compounded by shame, stigma, and fear of reprisal.


The impacts go beyond individuals:

  • Public trust declines, undermining confidence in service providers and institutions

  • Gender inequality deepens, as women’s safety and access are compromised

  • Development goals stall, since corruption in water and sanitation directly affects health, livelihoods, and education

 

 

Understanding risk, preventing, and responding to sexual corruption

 

  1. Who is most vulnerable to sexual corruption in water and sanitation?


Research from Kenya, Bangladesh, and Uganda shows that sexual corruption disproportionately affects poor, water-insecure, and less educated women.


The main drivers of risk are:

  • Poverty: When people cannot afford official fees or bribes, they may be coerced into sexual exchanges instead.

  • Water insecurity: Those relying on shared or informal water sources are at higher risk, as they often depend on gatekeepers for access.

  • Low literacy and awareness: Lack of education limits knowledge of rights and available reporting mechanisms.

  • Gender and social norms: In many contexts, women are expected to remain silent about sexual abuse, leading to severe underreporting.

 


  1. Does water and sanitation infrastructure make a difference?


Improved infrastructure directly reduces vulnerability to sexual corruption. Studies show that women with private, piped water connections or household toilets are significantly less exposed to sexual corruption.


Investments should prioritise:

  • Expanding household-level water connections

  • Installing safe, well-lit, private sanitation facilities

  • Reducing travel time and exposure to unsafe or informal access points

  • Strengthening community oversight of WASH projects


Infrastructure alone is not enough, but it forms the backbone of prevention by minimising dependence on informal systems where abuse thrives.

 


  1. Are there effective responses or preventive mechanisms for sexual corruption?


Tackling sexual corruption requires addressing both its corruption and gender dimensions. Strong integrity systems in the water and sanitation sectors can reduce opportunities for abuse and empower users to demand accountability.


When WASH service delivery is transparent, affordable, and inclusive, the discretionary power that enables sexual corruption diminishes.


In addition to better infrastructure, key actions include:

  • Legal recognition: Define sexual corruption as both corruption and sexual abuse in anti-corruption and gender-based violence laws. Definitions must highlight abuse of power and ensure survivors are not criminalised.

  • Policy integration: Include sexual corruption in national integrity frameworks, WASH strategies, and sector guidelines

  • Training and awareness: Equip officials, contractors, and community workers to recognise, prevent, and respond to sexual corruption

  • Reporting mechanisms: Create safe, anonymous channels for survivors to report abuse without fear

  • Victim support: Provide access to counselling, legal aid, and community-based protection systems

  • Community engagement: Promote awareness and challenge norms that normalise abuse or silence victims



  1.  What can I or my organisation do?


Name it explicity (in policies, training, reporting categories) and share this FAQ!


In addition to implementing gender-sensitive programmes and infrastructure, your organisation can:

  • Join calls for research and recognition of sexual corruption in water and sanitation and beyond.

  • Raise awareness within your organisation on the dual nature of sexual corruption and highlight the abuse of entrusted power. Note the risks in service delivery, programme implementation, and human resources. Dedicated training can help (WIN can support you with training)

  • Adapt codes of conduct and establish clear standards of behaviour for staff, contractors, and grantees, for example including clear contractual language prohibiting abuse of power for sexual gain

  • Engage with and support communities, CSOs, and women and GBV protection organisations, also to address underlying drivers of risk

  • Adapt reporting channels and implement survivor centred protection mechanisms: psychosocial support, safety planning, anonymity, referrals—following established GBV/PSEA protocols.

  • Investigate the service-provision environment (billing, access logs, water-trucking schedules, repair orders) or collaborate with researchers to document corruption patterns without exposing survivors.

  • Strengthen oversight of frontline workers, contractors, and local gatekeepers.


We can build systems that serve people, not exploit them. The fight against sexual corruption in water and sanitation is not just about stopping abuse, it’s about ensuring that everyone can access water and sanitation safely, fairly, and with dignity.


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