Increases in aid sex abuse complaints reflect tougher scrutiny, Britain says
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Increases in complaints about sexual abuse and harassment by aid workers are likely a sign that more victims feel able to come forward following closer scrutiny of the sector and increased safeguards, the British Government said on Tuesday. Aid agencies have come under pressure over the issue in recent years after […]
Aid sector blasted as “last safe haven” for sex abusers
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation The aid sector is rife with sexual abuse, British lawmakers said on Thursday, calling it “the last safe haven for perpetrators” despite a slew of scandals that prompted promises of a cleanup. Lawmakers rounded on the international aid sector, saying abusers were too often allowed to act with impunity while victims […]
Britain launches new inquiry into sex abuse by aid workers
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation British lawmakers will hear evidence that aid workers are demanding sex in return for assistance when they launch an inquiry this week into preventing sexual abuse and exploitation in the aid sector. The industry has come under intense scrutiny since 2018 when it emerged that Oxfam staff had paid young women […]
Britain urged to act over rising global attacks on aid workers
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation Growing violence against aid and health workers in conflict zones is jeopardising humanitarian operations, British parliamentarians said on Tuesday as they urged the country to lead international efforts to hold aggressors to account. Nearly 300 aid workers and health workers were killed and more than 850 injured last year in almost 1,200 […]
UK minister pledges to act on sex abuse in charities as donor numbers fall
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation Britain’s new international aid minister pledged to root out sex abuse in the sector on Tuesday, as a new report showed charitable giving has dropped for the third consecutive year amid deepening mistrust. Rory Stewart, who was appointed in a cabinet reshuffle last week, vowed to tackle abuse in the sector, especially […]
UK urged to pull its weight to support African refugees
Thomson Reuters Foundation Britain should practise what it preaches to African countries by doubling the number of vulnerable refugees it hosts and reviewing policies that restrict an asylum seeker’s right to work, lawmakers said on Tuesday. A cross-party committee said the British government should “lead by example” by resettling and employing refugees, especially those forcibly […]
UK watchdog accuses aid groups of failing to tackle sexual misconduct
Thomson Reuters Foundation International aid groups are failing to tackle “horror” sexual abuse and harassment in the charity sector, Britain’s aid watchdog said on Tuesday after the revelation of sexual misconduct by aid workers sparked global outrage this year. The International Development Committee said the response by the humanitarian sector towards widespread sexual abuse was […]
World’s poorest risk losing out as Brexit Britain pushes ‘aid for trade’
Thomson Reuters Foundation Women, young and disabled people risk being left out as Britain shifts aid spending to boost its own trade, experts said on Tuesday, with worries over Brexit already hitting the economy. A parliamentary watchdog and aid agencies criticised plans by Britain’s foreign aid agency, the Department for International Development, to focus on “trade […]
UK aid funded Chinese films, not world’s poorest, lawmakers say
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Not enough British aid goes to the world’s poorest, with funds spent on projects to develop China’s film industry and museums, parliamentarians said on Tuesday, as the sector grapples to restore its credibility after a major sex abuse scandal. The International Development Committee said some £600 million ($US801 million) of development […]