Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps
International Development Committee
Closed
Inquiry
Report published This Committee agreed early in this Parliament to draw up a comprehensive re-examination of progress taken to tackle sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector. Our focus is the aid recipients who become victims and survivors of abuse at the hands of individuals working in the sector. …
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5
Recommendations
34
Conclusions
1
Report
8
Oral sessions
4
Letters
8
Events
Activity timeline 22 events
6 Apr
2021
2021
14 Jan
2021
2021
19 Nov
2020
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19 Nov
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Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
17 Nov
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17 Nov
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Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual Meeting
10 Nov
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3 Nov
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3 Nov
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Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
22 Oct
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22 Oct
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20 Oct
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Oral evidence sessions 8 sessions
19 Nov 2020
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Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps
James Kariuki · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Katy Ransome · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
17 Nov 2020
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Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps
Peter Taylor · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Rt Hon James Cleverly · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
3 Nov 2020
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Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps
Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf · La Trobe University
Dr Miranda Brown
Dr Paul Kirby · London School of Economics
Dr Tamsyn Barton · Independent Commission for Aid Impact
Major Charmaine Geldenhuys
The Baroness Helic
20 Oct 2020
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Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps
Diane Goodman · UNHCR
Franziska Schwarz · Bond
Hannan Sulieman · UNICEF
Harvey Grenville · The Charity Commission for England and Wales
Helen Stephenson CBE · The Charity Commission for England and Wales
Stephanie Draper · Bond
13 Oct 2020
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Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps; Humanitarian crises monitoring: impact of coronavirus
Aaron Oxley · Results UK
Katie Husselby · Action for Global Health
Mike Podmore · STOPAIDS
Nellie Peyton · Thomson Reuters Foundation
Paisley Dodds · The New Humanitarian
Philip Kleinfeld · The New Humanitarian
Robert Flummerfelt
6 Oct 2020
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Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps
Alexia Pepper de Caires
Edward Flaherty · Schwab, Flaherty & Associés
Lesley Agams
Paula Donovan · AIDS-Free World’s Code Blue Campaign
Prof Andrew MacLeod · Kings College London and Co-founder, Hear Their Cries
Shaista Aziz
Sienna Merope-Synge
22 Sep 2020
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Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps
Ester Dross · PSEA
Lucy Heaven Taylor · Safeguarding
Megan Nobert · International Rescue Committee
Pierre Hauselmann · Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative
Sarah Blakemore · Keeping Children Safe
Tanya Wood · CHS Alliance
16 Jul 2020
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Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps
Alina Potts · The Global Women’s Institute, George Washington University
Dr Miranda Brown · Independent Consultant
Frances Longley · NGO Safeguarding Working Group on Leadership and Culture
Jill Healey · NGO Safeguarding Working Group on Accountability to Beneficiaries and Survivors
Professor Rosa Freedman · University of Reading School of Law
Sally Proudlove · NGO Safeguarding Working Group on Leadership and Culture
Sarah Maguire · Safeguarding Leads Network
Steve Reeves · NGO Safeguarding Working Group on The Employment Cycle
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seventh Report - Progress on tackling the sexual exploitation an… | HC 605 | 14 Jan 2021 | 39 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
39 results
1
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
Aid organisations must be alert to the barriers that might prevent aid beneficiaries from reporting...
Aid organisations must be alert to the barriers that might prevent aid beneficiaries from reporting abuses. They should design sensitive reporting mechanisms with the local population, in order to give victims and survivors, and their families and friends a safe …
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Government Response
From day 1 of its existence the FCDO adopted DFID’s practices on investigations. The FCDO will build on these practices. Funding agreements do and will continue to require partners to …
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2
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
We hope work to improve investigations at UK ODA receiving partners will continue under the...
We hope work to improve investigations at UK ODA receiving partners will continue under the merged FCDO in a way that encourages participation of the local population in the process. However, the culture of the sector (described in Chapter 4 …
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Government Response
We are funding the CHS Alliance to establish the first ever certified SEAH investigator training course. Partner representatives are all actively involved in the three employment cycle schemes we support: …
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3
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The FCDO should adopt the practices developed by DFID to improve investigations, including incorporating a...
The FCDO should adopt the practices developed by DFID to improve investigations, including incorporating a requirement to report cases to the FCDO into funding agreements with partners. The Safeguarding Investigations Team should continue to check that reports of sexual exploitation …
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Government Response
The FCDO regularly reviews the cost and likely effectiveness of all programmes as part of our programme management processes. The employment cycle schemes - Project Soteria, the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme …
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4
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The work undertaken by the UK government and the sector as a whole to improve...
The work undertaken by the UK government and the sector as a whole to improve reporting and investigations and provide additional guidance is welcome, however, the lack of capacity in the sector and absence of common standard for investigations means …
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Government Response
Seventh Special Report of Session 2019–21 3 against which we assess partners before funding them. We published last year a synthesis of the main findings from the central safeguarding enhanced …
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5
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
Employment cycle schemes which are designed to prevent perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse from...
Employment cycle schemes which are designed to prevent perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse from being re-hired in the aid sector will only work if perpetrators are reported and robust investigations undertaken. Therefore, improving reporting and investigations should be prioritised. …
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Government Response
We agree that NDAs must not be misused to silence individuals who raise legitimate concerns. We do not think that asking organisations as part of due diligence to report the …
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6
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The FCDO should undertake a review of the cost and likely effectiveness of the employment...
The FCDO should undertake a review of the cost and likely effectiveness of the employment cycle schemes at preventing perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse from being re-employed in the aid sector. (Paragraph 31) Progress on tackling the sexual exploitation …
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Government Response
We have regularly made that clear since 2018 and will continue to do so. It is up to partners if they publish annual case number data, but we will continue to encourage them to do so.
7
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
A full and transparent audit of whistleblowing in the aid sector has still not taken...
A full and transparent audit of whistleblowing in the aid sector has still not taken place. The FCDO should undertake an audit to provide a full understanding of how whistleblowing practices are being implemented and used, to give confidence that …
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Government Response
perpetrator is a staff member or part of the delivery chain. Survivor support is complex and the existence of response services are often dependent on government provision or humanitarian emergency …
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8
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
An audit will also help the FCDO along with other donors to hold aid organisations...
An audit will also help the FCDO along with other donors to hold aid organisations accountable for their treatment of whistle-blowers. The results of an audit could help donors to develop incentives for managers to encourage effective reporting on standards …
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Government Response
Safeguarding Unit and Consular Assistance Department began conversations in 2020 about this join-up and we will factor in this recommendation as the work continues. Seventh Special Report of Session 2019–21 …
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9
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
We are concerned that the use of non-disclosure agreements in the aid sector could be...
We are concerned that the use of non-disclosure agreements in the aid sector could be used to cover-up misconduct and will exacerbate power imbalances. As part of its due diligence processes the FCDO should require organisations it funds to report …
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Government Response
The Domestic Abuse Bill extends the jurisdiction of the UK courts so that, where appropriate, UK nationals and residents who commit certain sexual offences against adults outside the UK may …
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10
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
We welcome the plans that the FCDO has to improve data relating to sexual exploitation...
We welcome the plans that the FCDO has to improve data relating to sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector. We believe this is a key step to understanding the scale of the problem and will enable the international …
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Government Response
The FCDO has adopted a new criterion within its tender evaluation criteria to take account of additional social benefits that can be achieved in the delivery of Government contracts. The …
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11
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
It is imperative that aid beneficiaries who become victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and...
It is imperative that aid beneficiaries who become victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse have access to the support and services they need, and they are informed how to safely use them. The potential need to provide these …
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Government Response
The FCDO’s guidance to staff and implementing partners for the Covid-19 period states that Gender-Based Violence and child protection support services should be considered a core part of any humanitarian …
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12
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
Although the aid sector faces additional challenges due the international nature of many of its...
Although the aid sector faces additional challenges due the international nature of many of its perpetrators, the FCDO can use the experience of International Justice Mission to help inform how it can better support countries to strengthen their local justice …
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Government Response
The FCDO takes this approach internally, both on race and safeguarding against SEAH. Through our core documents and the work the Government has driven since early 2018 we remain consistently …
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13
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
We welcome the Minister’s announcement of new support for victims and survivors and we ask...
We welcome the Minister’s announcement of new support for victims and survivors and we ask that he provides this Committee with an update on that programme of support once further details are available. We agree with the approach that the …
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Government Response
In 2020 the FCDO funded the CHS Alliance to update the CHS Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Index to ensure that it incorporated all the elements of …
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14
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The FCDO should consider how it can join-up its diplomatic and aid functions to better...
The FCDO should consider how it can join-up its diplomatic and aid functions to better support victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. UK High Commissions and Embassies in countries that receive UK Aid should develop the capacity to provide support …
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Government Response
The FCDO has done this from day 1 and will continue to do so. The FCDO established last year a Due Diligence Hub for staff whose purpose is to build …
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15
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The Government should consider how the provisions included in sections 66 to 68 of The...
The Government should consider how the provisions included in sections 66 to 68 of The Domestic Abuse Bill 2019–21 could be applied to aid workers who commit sexual offences against adults overseas. It should also seek to use existing legislation …
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16
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
Aid organisations should try to design programmes in cooperation with the local populations where the...
Aid organisations should try to design programmes in cooperation with the local populations where the programmes will be delivered. They should also take responsibility for ensuring that aid beneficiaries are fully informed of their rights and know what is and …
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Government Response
A well-functioning Community-Based Complaints Mechanism (CBCM) can provide an avenue to survivors to seek justice and to improve accountability and support to survivors and victims at local and national level, …
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17
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
It is important that the international aid sector recognises the risks that the covid-19 pandemic...
It is important that the international aid sector recognises the risks that the covid-19 pandemic and measures taken to contain it pose to women. Any reduction in aid supplies will make them more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse and should …
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Government Response
The Government is fully committed to ensuring that aid organisations have access to the information they need to make informed recruitment decisions and safeguard the vulnerable. We do not assess …
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18
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
It is important that aid organisations promote diversity and inclusion, including recruiting greater numbers of...
It is important that aid organisations promote diversity and inclusion, including recruiting greater numbers of women and minority ethnic staff to senior leadership Progress on tackling the sexual exploitation and abuse of aid beneficiaries 51 roles, to challenge and overcome …
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Government Response
We will continue to work with the UN to ensure the application of the UN’s stated policy that “UN staff members are not covered by immunity for acts that constitute …
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19
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
Aid organisations must acknowledge the extreme power imbalances that have been a feature of the...
Aid organisations must acknowledge the extreme power imbalances that have been a feature of the sector and design their programmes in a way that empowers beneficiaries. Managers should be held responsible for instilling an open and inclusive culture at their …
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Government Response
The FCDO undertakes due diligence assessments on all our partners and will not provide funding to any multilateral organisation whose safeguarding procedures we consider to be inadequate. All organisations have …
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20
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
Although aid organisations have taken many welcome steps to raise awareness and combat sexual exploitation...
Although aid organisations have taken many welcome steps to raise awareness and combat sexual exploitation and abuse, the changes have focussed on strengthening weak practices and policy development rather than transforming the power dynamics and enabling culture that have been …
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Government Response
We will continue to do so. The Joint Inspection Unit (independent external oversight body of UN system) released in 2018 a comprehensive review of whistle-blower policies and practices in UN …
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21
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
We recommend that the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS) is amended at...
We recommend that the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS) is amended at the next opportunity to incorporate adequate measures to protect against sexual exploitation and abuse.
22
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The measures promoted by the Safeguarding Leads Network appear to be consistent with DFID’s enhanced...
The measures promoted by the Safeguarding Leads Network appear to be consistent with DFID’s enhanced due diligence assessments for implementing partners and should be applied consistently, including to private sector partners, in order to strengthen safeguarding standards across all aspects …
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Government Response
We have recently agreed to do this.
23
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
We welcome the enhanced due diligence central assurance assessments that DFID funded Keeping Children Safe...
We welcome the enhanced due diligence central assurance assessments that DFID funded Keeping Children Safe to undertake. This is an important step towards developing an understanding of how well partner organisations that receive UK ODA funding are meeting the enhanced …
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Government Response
We do not recognise the characterisation of apathy, but agree on the importance of ensuring all personnel, including the middle and senior leadership, are fully committed to tackling SEA. Vulnerable …
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24
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The FCDO already undertakes work to strengthen NHRIs around the world and it could use...
The FCDO already undertakes work to strengthen NHRIs around the world and it could use the relationships it has built to explore how they can be utilised to provide impartial oversight, and an appeals function for victims of sexual exploitation …
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Government Response
We continue to take action to address these issues in relevant UN fora that have oversight of peacekeeping, working with the Secretariat and Member States. For example, as a member …
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25
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The Committee recognises that there remain gaps in impartial oversight led by donor organisations.
The Committee recognises that there remain gaps in impartial oversight led by donor organisations. In its response to this report the Government should set out how the CBCM model will provide an independent avenue to survivors to seek justice when …
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26
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
Using existing resources and mechanisms to undertake Enhanced DBS checks on aid workers who are...
Using existing resources and mechanisms to undertake Enhanced DBS checks on aid workers who are UK nationals appears to be a sensible first step to preventing known perpetrators from being employed to these roles. The Government should amend the regulations …
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27
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The UN should not invoke immunity to protect perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse from...
The UN should not invoke immunity to protect perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse from robust investigation. The UK should work with the UN to ensure that UN immunity is not being used to protect perpetrators and call-out UN entities …
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Government Response
We are happy to do that.
28
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The UK is currently the biggest donor to the World Health Organization and the FCDO...
The UK is currently the biggest donor to the World Health Organization and the FCDO should seek assurances that lessons will be learned from this case. Failings identified should inform how the organisation will better interact with local populations and …
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29
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
Our evidence suggests that UN whistle-blowers continue to run the risk of retaliation if they...
Our evidence suggests that UN whistle-blowers continue to run the risk of retaliation if they speak out about sexual exploitation and abuse. The FCDO should consider what measures it has at its disposal to tackle this problem, including the funding …
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Government Response
The PSVI remains a top priority for the UK Government. We are the only government in the world to have a Prime Minister’s Special Representative as well as a dedicated …
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30
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
Since 2017 the UN has introduced several measures to tackle sexual exploitation and abuse, investigate...
Since 2017 the UN has introduced several measures to tackle sexual exploitation and abuse, investigate perpetrators and better support victims. We welcome initiatives such as the mapping of services undertaken by the Victims’ Rights Advocate and supported by UK funding, …
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Government Response
We continue to actively encourage partners to include costs and to build SEAH considerations into tender processes and funding proposals. Safeguarding against SEAH is a key plank of the FCDO’s …
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31
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The UN trust fund for victims is an important resource for ensuring that beneficiaries who...
The UN trust fund for victims is an important resource for ensuring that beneficiaries who experience sexual exploitation and abuse at the hands of UN personnel receive the support they need. The UK should consider providing funding for the trust …
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Government Response
We have recently agreed to do this.
32
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
We welcome ICAI’s review of sexual exploitation and abuse in international peacekeeping.
We welcome ICAI’s review of sexual exploitation and abuse in international peacekeeping. A culture of impunity among peacekeeping troops has contributed to the persistence of sexual exploitation and abuse. Perpetrators need to know that if they are caught, they will …
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Government Response
We do not recognise the characterisation of apathy, but agree on the importance of ensuring all personnel, including the middle and senior leadership, are fully committed to tackling SEA. Vulnerable …
Read more
33
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The UK should work with the UN to strengthen monitoring and oversight of peacekeeping missions,...
The UK should work with the UN to strengthen monitoring and oversight of peacekeeping missions, and to ensure that peacekeeping is properly resourced so that the UN can refuse troops from countries that have a history of unaddressed misconduct. (Paragraph …
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Government Response
We continue to take action to address these issues in relevant UN fora that have oversight of peacekeeping, working with the Secretariat and Member States. For example, as a member …
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34
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The FCDO should ensure that any future procurement code incorporates the most stringent measures formerly...
The FCDO should ensure that any future procurement code incorporates the most stringent measures formerly used by either department to safeguard against sexual exploitation and abuse in its supply chains.
Government Response
The current Supply Partner Code of Conduct does this. We will look to strengthen the language on expectations as needed in future updates.
35
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The measures set out in the Strategic Vision should be taken into consideration when the...
The measures set out in the Strategic Vision should be taken into consideration when the FCDO is deciding which programmes to prioritise and projects to improve gender equality should not be side-lined due to a lack of clear performance indicators.
Government Response
The Strategic Vision for Gender Equality continues to reflect and respond to the UK Government’s ambitions on this agenda and will guide our future work. The FCDO will retain and …
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36
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
For transparency, future progress reports should include an update on each aspect of the commitments,...
For transparency, future progress reports should include an update on each aspect of the commitments, even if it is a nil return.
Government Response
We are happy to do that.
37
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
In recent years DFID has included a specific safeguarding section in its annual reports and...
In recent years DFID has included a specific safeguarding section in its annual reports and accounts. In 2019–20 this included important data on the number of safeguarding reports that DFID received. This is good practice and should be replicated by …
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Government Response
The precise structure of the FCDO’s first annual report and accounts to Parliament is still to be finalised, but we certainly intend to replicate the approach taken by DFID in recent years.
38
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative has lost its way since Foreign Secretary Hague...
The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative has lost its way since Foreign Secretary Hague left the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The permanent team of staff dedicated to the initiative is small and funding has dwindled. Similar to our findings …
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Government Response
The PSVI remains a top priority for the UK Government. We are the only government in the world to have a Prime Minister’s Special Representative as well as a dedicated …
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39
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackl…
We hope the FCDO will work positively with its implementing partners to combat sexual exploitation...
We hope the FCDO will work positively with its implementing partners to combat sexual exploitation and abuse in ODA funded programmes. The FCDO should ensure that safeguarding is properly budgeted for in programme contracts and is not undermined by wider …
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Government Response
We continue to actively encourage partners to include costs and to build SEAH considerations into tender processes and funding proposals. Safeguarding against SEAH is a key plank of the FCDO’s …
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Correspondence 4 letters
10 Nov 2020
To committee
Letter from Minister Nigel Adams MP, Minister of State for Asia on ODA staff terms and conditions on sexual relations with beneficiaries - 6 November 2020
Parliament page
22 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from Chair to Minister Adams on ODA staff terms and conditions on sexual relations with beneficiaries - 22 October 2020
Parliament page
22 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from Minister Adams on ODA staff terms and conditions on sexual relations with beneficiaries - 16 October 2020
Parliament page
15 Sep 2020
Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to the Chair on HMG’s funding relationship with Save the Children
Parliament page