Recommendations & Conclusions
39 items
1
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Aid organisations must be alert to the barriers that might prevent aid beneficiaries from reporting abuses. They should design sensitive reporting mechanisms with the local population, in order to give victims and survivors, and their families and friends a safe means to report their concerns and complaints. This might include …
Government response. From day 1 of its existence the FCDO adopted DFID’s practices on investigations. The FCDO will build on these practices. Funding agreements do and will continue to require partners to report cases. The FCDO’s Safeguarding Investigations Team continue to check …
2
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
We hope work to improve investigations at UK ODA receiving partners will continue under the merged FCDO in a way that encourages participation of the local population in the process. However, the culture of the sector (described in Chapter 4 of this report) is also key to ensuring that robust …
Government response. We are funding the CHS Alliance to establish the first ever certified SEAH investigator training course. Partner representatives are all actively involved in the three employment cycle schemes we support: Project Soteria with Interpol; the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme; and the …
3
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The FCDO should adopt the practices developed by DFID to improve investigations, including incorporating a requirement to report cases to the FCDO into funding agreements with partners. The Safeguarding Investigations Team should continue to check that reports of sexual exploitation and abuse are satisfactorily managed; and it should take-up the …
Government response. The FCDO regularly reviews the cost and likely effectiveness of all programmes as part of our programme management processes. The employment cycle schemes - Project Soteria, the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and the Aid Worker Registration Scheme - are no exception. …
4
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The work undertaken by the UK government and the sector as a whole to improve reporting and investigations and provide additional guidance is welcome, however, the lack of capacity in the sector and absence of common standard for investigations means that the outcomes of investigations are unreliable. Therefore, there is …
Government response. Seventh Special Report of Session 2019–21 3 against which we assess partners before funding them. We published last year a synthesis of the main findings from the central safeguarding enhanced due diligence assessments across 31 civil society organisations. Our due …
5
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Employment cycle schemes which are designed to prevent perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse from being re-hired in the aid sector will only work if perpetrators are reported and robust investigations undertaken. Therefore, improving reporting and investigations should be prioritised. The FCDO should support initiatives to increase investigations capacity in …
Government response. We agree that NDAs must not be misused to silence individuals who raise legitimate concerns. We do not think that asking organisations as part of due diligence to report the number of NDAs they have signed is the most effective …
6
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The FCDO should undertake a review of the cost and likely effectiveness of the employment cycle schemes at preventing perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse from being re-employed in the aid sector. (Paragraph 31) Progress on tackling the sexual exploitation and abuse of aid beneficiaries 49
Government response. We have regularly made that clear since 2018 and will continue to do so. It is up to partners if they publish annual case number data, but we will continue to encourage them to do so.
7
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
A full and transparent audit of whistleblowing in the aid sector has still not taken place. The FCDO should undertake an audit to provide a full understanding of how whistleblowing practices are being implemented and used, to give confidence that whistle-blowers are actively supported and not retaliated against by their …
Government response. perpetrator is a staff member or part of the delivery chain. Survivor support is complex and the existence of response services are often dependent on government provision or humanitarian emergency response. In fragile and conflict affected areas such provision is …
8
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
An audit will also help the FCDO along with other donors to hold aid organisations accountable for their treatment of whistle-blowers. The results of an audit could help donors to develop incentives for managers to encourage effective reporting on standards of conduct.
Government response. Safeguarding Unit and Consular Assistance Department began conversations in 2020 about this join-up and we will factor in this recommendation as the work continues. Seventh Special Report of Session 2019–21 5
9
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
We are concerned that the use of non-disclosure agreements in the aid sector could be used to cover-up misconduct and will exacerbate power imbalances. As part of its due diligence processes the FCDO should require organisations it funds to report to it the number of non-disclosure agreements they have signed, …
Government response. The Domestic Abuse Bill extends the jurisdiction of the UK courts so that, where appropriate, UK nationals and residents who commit certain sexual offences against adults outside the UK may be brought to trial in the UK. This could include …
10
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
We welcome the plans that the FCDO has to improve data relating to sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector. We believe this is a key step to understanding the scale of the problem and will enable the international community to better evaluate efforts taken to combat sexual exploitation …
Government response. The FCDO has adopted a new criterion within its tender evaluation criteria to take account of additional social benefits that can be achieved in the delivery of Government contracts. The introduction of this Social Values Policy from 1st January 2021 …
11
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
It is imperative that aid beneficiaries who become victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse have access to the support and services they need, and they are informed how to safely use them. The potential need to provide these services should be factored in from the start of programmes, …
Government response. The FCDO’s guidance to staff and implementing partners for the Covid-19 period states that Gender-Based Violence and child protection support services should be considered a core part of any humanitarian response and that SEAH survivors as well as victims and …
12
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Although the aid sector faces additional challenges due the international nature of many of its perpetrators, the FCDO can use the experience of International Justice Mission to help inform how it can better support countries to strengthen their local justice mechanisms and ensure that survivors have confidence in local authorities …
Government response. The FCDO takes this approach internally, both on race and safeguarding against SEAH. Through our core documents and the work the Government has driven since early 2018 we remain consistently clear that safeguarding against SEAH needs to be ingrained throughout …
13
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
We welcome the Minister’s announcement of new support for victims and survivors and we ask that he provides this Committee with an update on that programme of support once further details are available. We agree with the approach that the FCDO says it is taking to work with and strengthen …
Government response. In 2020 the FCDO funded the CHS Alliance to update the CHS Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Index to ensure that it incorporated all the elements of sector-wide safeguarding standards, including the FCDO Enhanced Due Diligence requirements …
14
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The FCDO should consider how it can join-up its diplomatic and aid functions to better support victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. UK High Commissions and Embassies in countries that receive UK Aid should develop the capacity to provide support to victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse where …
Government response. The FCDO has done this from day 1 and will continue to do so. The FCDO established last year a Due Diligence Hub for staff whose purpose is to build capability on due diligence among staff and provide support when …
15
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The Government should consider how the provisions included in sections 66 to 68 of The Domestic Abuse Bill 2019–21 could be applied to aid workers who commit sexual offences against adults overseas. It should also seek to use existing legislation to prosecute British aid workers who commit offences against children, …
Government response. We will continue to monitor partners’ adherence to the enhanced safeguarding due diligence requirements on an ongoing basis and performance will impact on funding decisions. The Supply Partner Code of Conduct sets clear expectations for contract-holders on the effectiveness of …
16
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Aid organisations should try to design programmes in cooperation with the local populations where the programmes will be delivered. They should also take responsibility for ensuring that aid beneficiaries are fully informed of their rights and know what is and what is not acceptable behaviour by aid workers. They might …
Government response. A well-functioning Community-Based Complaints Mechanism (CBCM) can provide an avenue to survivors to seek justice and to improve accountability and support to survivors and victims at local and national level, including by linking survivors to support services. CBCMs are designed …
17
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
It is important that the international aid sector recognises the risks that the covid-19 pandemic and measures taken to contain it pose to women. Any reduction in aid supplies will make them more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse and should be avoided. This comes at the same time that safe …
Government response. The Government is fully committed to ensuring that aid organisations have access to the information they need to make informed recruitment decisions and safeguard the vulnerable. We do not assess though that there is a gap in the system, but …
18
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
It is important that aid organisations promote diversity and inclusion, including recruiting greater numbers of women and minority ethnic staff to senior leadership Progress on tackling the sexual exploitation and abuse of aid beneficiaries 51 roles, to challenge and overcome discriminatory attitudes and cultures that permit sexual exploitation and abuse …
Government response. We will continue to work with the UN to ensure the application of the UN’s stated policy that “UN staff members are not covered by immunity for acts that constitute crimes, and the Organization does not protect staff who commit …
19
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Aid organisations must acknowledge the extreme power imbalances that have been a feature of the sector and design their programmes in a way that empowers beneficiaries. Managers should be held responsible for instilling an open and inclusive culture at their organisation that is actively anti-racist, where all staff are valued …
Government response. The FCDO undertakes due diligence assessments on all our partners and will not provide funding to any multilateral organisation whose safeguarding procedures we consider to be inadequate. All organisations have room for improvement. Multilaterals have thousands of employees and even …
20
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Although aid organisations have taken many welcome steps to raise awareness and combat sexual exploitation and abuse, the changes have focussed on strengthening weak practices and policy development rather than transforming the power dynamics and enabling culture that have been embedded in the aid sector. Until a true transformation takes …
Government response. We will continue to do so. The Joint Inspection Unit (independent external oversight body of UN system) released in 2018 a comprehensive review of whistle-blower policies and practices in UN system organisations. The UK worked in the General Assembly to …
21
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
We recommend that the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS) is amended at the next opportunity to incorporate adequate measures to protect against sexual exploitation and abuse.
Government response. We will continue to make that point in the United Nations. The UK works closely with all the UN’s mechanisms aimed at preventing and tackling SEAH, including the Special Coordinator’s office which plays an essential role in coordinating and strengthening …
22
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The measures promoted by the Safeguarding Leads Network appear to be consistent with DFID’s enhanced due diligence assessments for implementing partners and should be applied consistently, including to private sector partners, in order to strengthen safeguarding standards across all aspects of aid delivery. The FCDO should enforce the enhanced due …
Government response. We have recently agreed to do this.
23
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
We welcome the enhanced due diligence central assurance assessments that DFID funded Keeping Children Safe to undertake. This is an important step towards developing an understanding of how well partner organisations that receive UK ODA funding are meeting the enhanced safeguarding due diligence requirements. However, only assessing the central offices …
Government response. We do not recognise the characterisation of apathy, but agree on the importance of ensuring all personnel, including the middle and senior leadership, are fully committed to tackling SEA. Vulnerable communities that peacekeepers have been sent to protect must be …
24
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The FCDO already undertakes work to strengthen NHRIs around the world and it could use the relationships it has built to explore how they can be utilised to provide impartial oversight, and an appeals function for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector. (Paragraph 97) 52 Progress …
Government response. We continue to take action to address these issues in relevant UN fora that have oversight of peacekeeping, working with the Secretariat and Member States. For example, as a member of the Security Council we have sought to strengthen the …
25
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The Committee recognises that there remain gaps in impartial oversight led by donor organisations. In its response to this report the Government should set out how the CBCM model will provide an independent avenue to survivors to seek justice when the regular reporting mechanisms fail. It should also outline any …
Government response. The current Supply Partner Code of Conduct does this. We will look to strengthen the language on expectations as needed in future updates.
26
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Using existing resources and mechanisms to undertake Enhanced DBS checks on aid workers who are UK nationals appears to be a sensible first step to preventing known perpetrators from being employed to these roles. The Government should amend the regulations to designate aid work as a regulated activity, requiring aid …
Government response. The Strategic Vision for Gender Equality continues to reflect and respond to the UK Government’s ambitions on this agenda and will guide our future work. The FCDO will retain and build on the Strategic Vision, taking full advantage of our …
27
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The UN should not invoke immunity to protect perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse from robust investigation. The UK should work with the UN to ensure that UN immunity is not being used to protect perpetrators and call-out UN entities that have misused immunity provisions.
Government response. We are happy to do that.
28
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The UK is currently the biggest donor to the World Health Organization and the FCDO should seek assurances that lessons will be learned from this case. Failings identified should inform how the organisation will better interact with local populations and involve them in public health responses in future. The FCDO …
Government response. The precise structure of the FCDO’s first annual report and accounts to Parliament is still to be finalised, but we certainly intend to replicate the approach taken by DFID in recent years.
29
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Our evidence suggests that UN whistle-blowers continue to run the risk of retaliation if they speak out about sexual exploitation and abuse. The FCDO should consider what measures it has at its disposal to tackle this problem, including the funding mechanisms which can be applied, such as those used by …
Government response. The PSVI remains a top priority for the UK Government. We are the only government in the world to have a Prime Minister’s Special Representative as well as a dedicated team and funding focused on tackling conflict-related sexual violence, including …
30
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Since 2017 the UN has introduced several measures to tackle sexual exploitation and abuse, investigate perpetrators and better support victims. We welcome initiatives such as the mapping of services undertaken by the Victims’ Rights Advocate and supported by UK funding, but we have not seen much evidence of the impact …
Government response. We continue to actively encourage partners to include costs and to build SEAH considerations into tender processes and funding proposals. Safeguarding against SEAH is a key plank of the FCDO’s overall risk management approach and if we don’t manage risk …
31
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The UN trust fund for victims is an important resource for ensuring that beneficiaries who experience sexual exploitation and abuse at the hands of UN personnel receive the support they need. The UK should consider providing funding for the trust fund for victims to contribute to the vital services it …
Government response. We have recently agreed to do this.
32
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
We welcome ICAI’s review of sexual exploitation and abuse in international peacekeeping. A culture of impunity among peacekeeping troops has contributed to the persistence of sexual exploitation and abuse. Perpetrators need to know that if they are caught, they will be punished. The UK should design its programmes for preventing …
Government response. We do not recognise the characterisation of apathy, but agree on the importance of ensuring all personnel, including the middle and senior leadership, are fully committed to tackling SEA. Vulnerable communities that peacekeepers have been sent to protect must be …
33
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The UK should work with the UN to strengthen monitoring and oversight of peacekeeping missions, and to ensure that peacekeeping is properly resourced so that the UN can refuse troops from countries that have a history of unaddressed misconduct. (Paragraph 125) The role of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Government response. We continue to take action to address these issues in relevant UN fora that have oversight of peacekeeping, working with the Secretariat and Member States. For example, as a member of the Security Council we have sought to strengthen the …
34
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The FCDO should ensure that any future procurement code incorporates the most stringent measures formerly used by either department to safeguard against sexual exploitation and abuse in its supply chains.
Government response. The current Supply Partner Code of Conduct does this. We will look to strengthen the language on expectations as needed in future updates.
35
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The measures set out in the Strategic Vision should be taken into consideration when the FCDO is deciding which programmes to prioritise and projects to improve gender equality should not be side-lined due to a lack of clear performance indicators.
Government response. The Strategic Vision for Gender Equality continues to reflect and respond to the UK Government’s ambitions on this agenda and will guide our future work. The FCDO will retain and build on the Strategic Vision, taking full advantage of our …
36
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
For transparency, future progress reports should include an update on each aspect of the commitments, even if it is a nil return.
Government response. We are happy to do that.
37
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
In recent years DFID has included a specific safeguarding section in its annual reports and accounts. In 2019–20 this included important data on the number of safeguarding reports that DFID received. This is good practice and should be replicated by the FCDO.
Government response. The precise structure of the FCDO’s first annual report and accounts to Parliament is still to be finalised, but we certainly intend to replicate the approach taken by DFID in recent years.
38
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative has lost its way since Foreign Secretary Hague left the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The permanent team of staff dedicated to the initiative is small and funding has dwindled. Similar to our findings for the aid sector, it could be improved through better …
Government response. The PSVI remains a top priority for the UK Government. We are the only government in the world to have a Prime Minister’s Special Representative as well as a dedicated team and funding focused on tackling conflict-related sexual violence, including …
39
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
We hope the FCDO will work positively with its implementing partners to combat sexual exploitation and abuse in ODA funded programmes. The FCDO should ensure that safeguarding is properly budgeted for in programme contracts and is not undermined by wider value for money requirements. It should also show leadership on …
Government response. We continue to actively encourage partners to include costs and to build SEAH considerations into tender processes and funding proposals. Safeguarding against SEAH is a key plank of the FCDO’s overall risk management approach and if we don’t manage risk …