The findings from the Charity Commission’s Inquiry into Oxfam GB

Stephanie Draper from Bond, CEO of the UK network for NGO said:

“NGOs are taking this seriously; safeguarding experts from NGOs have come together to ensure strong policies are acted upon across the sector, particularly around governance, organisational culture, employment practice and reporting and complaints mechanisms. We have been quick to find a solution to prevent people from moving from one organisation to another without accurate references. The sector’s Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme is up and running, and organisations are signing up for this, which means NGOs will be able to share information about people who have been found to have committed sexual abuse and exploitation and harassment during employment. The sector is committed to getting it right, but to achieve this we must sustain momentum to ensure we protect people from abuse and hold abusers to account – whether that’s in the UK or internationally.

“There is no single silver bullet and only by working with the government, multilaterals, donors and the private sector can we ensure there isn’t anywhere to hide for those seeking to abuse their power.”

ENDS

  1. Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development, including Save the Children, Oxfam and Christian Aid. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
  2. A full account of the NGO sector-wide progress on safeguarding can be found here: Safeguarding inquiry: progress, challenges and opportunities.
  3. Bond launched “Our commitment to change in safeguarding: Our approach to tackling sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment in the aid sector” during the Safeguarding Summit in October which was incorporated into the Bond Charter in November.
  4. For further information or interviews please contact Maryam Mohsin on 07555 336029 or [email protected].