Six months after The Times' exposé of abuse in Haiti, the International Development Committee, publishes a first look at the troubling issue of sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector.
After reports of aid personnel instigating abuse across a range of countries, organisations and institutions, particularly at times of humanitarian crises, such as South Sudan, Haiti, Liberia and Sierra Leone, we began investigating the issue and its extent.
We heard that sexual predators are taking advantage of the opportunities to exploit vulnerable people who get caught by conflict or disaster in developing countries.
The aid sector has collectively failed to confront fully or address the problem.
The reactive, patchy and sluggish response has created an impression of 'complacency verging on complicity' and more concern for reputations than victims says the report.
We are deeply concerned that previous attempts have amounted to limited action when stories hit the headlines with no lasting impact or redress.
"We acknowledge that our Report – though damning - is a small, first step, but take note: we are putting all the relevant authorities on notice. We will be tracking progress with a view to ensuring real improvement is made. No matter how insurmountable this looks, solutions must be found. This horror must be confronted."
Stephen Twigg MP
We set out how a full response to sexual exploitation and abuse depends on four inter-related areas:
The beneficiaries of humanitarian aid should have knowledge and confidence in their rights and how to find help if those rights are threatened or violated.
Crucially then, there needs to be, from the start, on-the-ground, well-designed, victim-centred, arrangements for where to go, and who to talk to, if those rights are threatened or violated
Reports of sexual exploitation and abuse should be proactively sought and responded to robustly with feedback to victims and survivors. It is incumbent on DFID and other donors to provide the resources for improved victim-centred reporting mechanisms.
Any organisation needs to create an environment in which those who suffer harassment and abuse are safe to report without fear of retaliation and with the confidence that their allegations will be taken seriously.
A zero tolerance culture on sexual exploitation and abuse is the least which victims (either in crisis situations or in the workplace) should expect.
- Reports of sexual exploitation must be followed by investigation; confirmation must be met with accountability.
- Aid organisations must demonstrate transparency over reputation.
- Donors and the Charity Commission must insist on this with the assistance of an independent aid ombudsman to provide an avenue for victims and survivors if the established channels fail.
It is imperative that known perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse, identified through improved reporting and accountability, are prevented from moving into new positions.
We call for:
- a rapid improvement of methods to screen staff
- an immediate strengthening of referencing practices in and between organisations
- a global register of aid workers who will operate according to expected standards. This will act as one barrier to sexual predators seeking to enter the international development profession.
A failure to listen to and consider the needs of victims and survivors of SEA will engender a response that is not only ineffective, but potentially harmful.
Victims and survivors should demonstrably be front and centre of all efforts to tackle SEA and this means the inclusion of victim and survivor voices in policy-making processes on an ongoing basis.
We drew up a bill to tackle the legal barriers around vetting, read this here, or watch Stephen Twigg explain it to other MPs.
The Government has two months to respond. To read in more depth and detail about our recommendations, read our report or see more on our website.
If you're interested in the work of our committee, find out more about our other inquiries.
