Seventh Report - Progress on tackling the sexual exploitation and abuse of aid beneficiaries

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.