The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Aid organisations warned there is ‘no hiding place’ for predators
Another 80 cases reported to commission since last month
Aid organisations have reported 80 current and historical harm or harm risk cases to the Charity Commission since February 12, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt has said.
The cases span 26 charities and groups and cover the “full spectrum” of safeguarding incidents, she said.
Seven of the organisations came forward with cases that have been reported within this financial year.
Officials said they did not know if any of the incidents involved children and refused to name the charities involved.
Ms Mordaunt said it was a “wake-up call” for the sector, which has been reeling since the Oxfam sex scandal erupted.
Speaking at a safeguarding summit in central London, the Cabinet minister warned predators exploiting the aid sector there is “no hiding place”. “We will find you, we will bring you to justice. Your time is up”, she said.
Ms Mordaunt wrote to 179 aid charities and organisations after it emerged there were widespread concerns about the behaviour of aid workers and the way they were being dealt with.
All have responded and given statements of assurance about the way they operate, but 37 still have questions to answer, the summit heard.
The Department for International Development has also carried out an internal audit.
New standards have now come into force that aid organisations must meet to be eligible for Government money, Ms Mordaunt said.
“These standards will include an assessment of codes of conduct, how organisations identify and respond to incidents and how their risk management places safeguarding and beneficiaries at the very core.
“That assessment will set the bar at a level of the very best – a bar that we will continue to push higher – from our work here today and in the time to come.
“Our standards will be world-leading. They will be tough and exacting.”