Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps

International Development Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 6 Jul 2020 Closed: 1 Dec 2021 Parliament page
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. … Read more
35 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
1 Report
8 Oral sessions
4 Letters
8 Events
Activity timeline 14 events
6 Apr
2021
Report published
14 Jan
2021
Report published
19 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
17 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
10 Nov
2020
Correspondence
3 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
22 Oct
2020
Correspondence
22 Oct
2020
Correspondence
20 Oct
2020
Oral evidence
13 Oct
2020
Oral evidence
6 Oct
2020
Oral evidence
22 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
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
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling the sexual exploitation an… HC 605 14 Jan 2021 39 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
17 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government response outlines existing programme review processes and employment cycle schemes aimed at safer recruitment, and notes an upcoming ICAI review, but does not commit to adopting DFID's specific investigative practices or incorporating reporting requirements into funding agreements as recommended.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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5 Recommendation Not Addressed
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. … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses entirely on Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), agreeing they must not be misused and exploring clearer language in funding templates, without directly addressing the recommendation to prioritise improving reporting and investigation capacity or ensuring fair employment cycle schemes.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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6 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has regularly made clear its position since 2018 and will continue to encourage partners to publish annual case number data, but this response does not address the recommendation for a review of employment cycle schemes to prevent re-employment of perpetrators.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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7 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees but the response focuses on providing survivor support in fragile areas and considering funding requests for such support on a case-by-case basis, rather than addressing the specific call for a full audit of whistleblowing practices.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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9 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses the Domestic Abuse Bill extending UK court jurisdiction for sexual offences committed overseas, which is entirely unrelated to the recommendation about requiring FCDO partners to report on non-disclosure agreements.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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10 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government states it has adopted a new criterion for social benefits in tender evaluations and partially agrees with the recommendation, but the response does not address the specific points about assuring partners they won't be penalised for reporting or requiring annual reporting of safeguarding allegations.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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13 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details its funding for an update to the CHS PSEAH Index and its future formal update, which does not address the recommendation to provide an update on victim support or use embassy staff experience to help victims contact UK systems.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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15 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details its monitoring of partners' safeguarding due diligence and adherence to the Supply Partner Code of Conduct, but does not address the recommendation regarding the application of the Domestic Abuse Bill or existing legislation to prosecute aid workers for sexual offences.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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17 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government response discusses existing provisions for criminal record checks for aid workers and the establishment of a working group to explore related issues, which is entirely unrelated to the committee's recommendation regarding COVID-19 impact on women and local, community-based gender support services.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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18 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government response addresses UN immunity for staff committing crimes, which is unrelated to the committee's recommendation regarding diversity and inclusion in aid organisations' senior leadership.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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20 Conclusion Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government responds by stating it will continue to support whistleblower protections, citing its work in the UN General Assembly to implement recommendations from a 2018 review of whistleblower policies, without directly addressing the committee's concern about transforming power dynamics and culture.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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23 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses the importance of commitment to tackling SEA and lists existing projects related to peacekeeping missions, but does not address the recommendation for FCDO to undertake further in-country monitoring of implementation partners.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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24 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government response details actions taken within UN fora related to peacekeeping operations and uniformed contingents, but does not address the recommendation to explore utilising NHRIs for oversight and appeals functions for victims in the aid sector.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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26 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government response outlines its commitment to gender equality through the Strategic Vision and the UK International Development Act, but does not address the recommendation to amend regulations for Enhanced DBS checks for aid workers.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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28 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government states it intends to replicate DFID's approach to annual reports, but does not address the specific request to seek assurances from WHO or set out how it holds multilateral organizations accountable for safeguarding failures.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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29 Recommendation Not Addressed
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 … Read more
Government Response
The government response focuses on the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for PSVI, the integration of FCDO functions, and the development of a new three-year strategy for tackling conflict-related sexual violence, but does not address the specific recommendations regarding whistleblower protection or advocacy to the UN.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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30 Recommendation Not Addressed
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, … Read more
Government Response
The government response discusses FCDO's general approach to encouraging partners to include SEAH costs and its risk management, but does not address the recommendation that the UN Special Coordinator role should be a full-time position.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 39 of 35 classified
Accepted 16
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 5
Not Addressed 17
Total 35 recs + 4 conclusions
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