How Oxfam mislaid its moral compass
WE knew it was bad – but not this bad. The Oxfam sex scandal took a truly shocking turn yesterday when it was revealed that the charity’s staff were not only accused of serial sexual misconduct overseas but also in its shops on Britain’s high streets.
Today, the Mail reveals that over the last nine years, there were more than 120 allegations of abuse or inappropriate behaviour by volunteers in Oxfam shops, some involving children and other vulnerable people. The charity’s former head of safeguarding, Helen Evans, says she alerted senior management, the regulator and ministers. But she claims her concerns were largely ignored. There have also been many more allegations of rape, attempted rape and ‘sex-for-aid’ coercion by Oxfam staff abroad than were previously known. Miss Evans said a survey in 2014 found that one in ten staff working in three countries had either witnessed or experienced sexual assault. Naturally, this explosive document was never made public.
Piece by sordid piece, a portrait emerges of an organisation which has mislaid its moral compass, a regulator asleep on the job and a Government department which asked too few questions before showering the charity with taxpayers’ money.
Oxfam’s deputy chief executive has now resigned but that’s simply not enough. Before it receives another penny of public cash, there should be an exhaustive investigation, taking evidence from Miss Evans and other whistleblowers, as well as senior executives and field workers.
And other charities should also be put on notice that they will face much more intense scrutiny than in the past.
For these revelations – grotesque as they are – may be just the tip of the iceberg. The Charity Commission admitted yesterday it receives 1,000 complaints of sexual misconduct and other ‘safeguarding issues’ in the charity sector every year. That’s not just a few ‘ bad apples’. It’s more like an epidemic – and it must be eradicated.
Meanwhile, at a time when Press freedom is under unprecedented threat, it’s worth noting this ghastly affair was exposed thanks to a determined newspaper investigation.
If the zealots of Hacked Off and their malign allies at Westminster have their way, such investigations will soon be practically and financially impossible – and those who abuse their public position for base gratification will rest easier in their beds.