Recommendations & Conclusions
17 items
3
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 work proposed by DFID to improve the skills of first responders and investigators.
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Government response AI summary
The government response outlines existing programme review processes and employment cycle schemes aimed at safer recruitment, and notes an upcoming ICAI review, but does not commit to adopting DFID's specific investigative practices or incorporating reporting requirements into funding agreements as recommended.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
5
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 the aid sector and work with its partners to ensure that the employment cycle schemes incorporate checks and balances to ensure they are just and fair to survivors and aid workers.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response focuses entirely on Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), agreeing they must not be misused and exploring clearer language in funding templates, without directly addressing the recommendation to prioritise improving reporting and investigation capacity or ensuring fair employment cycle schemes.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
6
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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
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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
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Government response AI summary
The government states it has regularly made clear its position since 2018 and will continue to encourage partners to publish annual case number data, but this response does not address the recommendation for a review of employment cycle schemes to prevent re-employment of perpetrators.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
7
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 organisations.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees but the response focuses on providing survivor support in fragile areas and considering funding requests for such support on a case-by-case basis, rather than addressing the specific call for a full audit of whistleblowing practices.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
9
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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, …
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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, to help the FCDO to ensure that its partners are not misusing NDAs to silence individuals who raise legitimate concerns.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response discusses the Domestic Abuse Bill extending UK court jurisdiction for sexual offences committed overseas, which is entirely unrelated to the recommendation about requiring FCDO partners to report on non-disclosure agreements.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
10
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 and abuse. To facilitate the collection of data, the FCDO should make it clear to its partners that reporting cases of sexual exploitation and abuse will not be treated as a reason to be penalised, as long as they can demonstrate that they have robust mechanisms in place to deal with the misconduct. FCDO partners should report annually their total number of safeguarding allegations they receive and the number that are upheld. (Paragraph 43) Support for victims and survivors
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Government response AI summary
The government states it has adopted a new criterion for social benefits in tender evaluations and partially agrees with the recommendation, but the response does not address the specific points about assuring partners they won't be penalised for reporting or requiring annual reporting of safeguarding …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
13
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 in-country justice mechanisms. However, we believe it might be helpful for some victims and survivors to be able to contact UK systems directly. Embassy and High Commission staff already have experience of working with the local justice systems in the countries where they are based, through helping British nationals to navigate them. This experience could be used to help support victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse where the perpetrator was British or employed by a British aid organisation.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response details its funding for an update to the CHS PSEAH Index and its future formal update, which does not address the recommendation to provide an update on victim support or use embassy staff experience to help victims contact UK systems.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
15
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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, …
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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, as this would provide a strong deterrent. (Paragraph 60) Power dynamics and culture
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Government response AI summary
The government's response details its monitoring of partners' safeguarding due diligence and adherence to the Supply Partner Code of Conduct, but does not address the recommendation regarding the application of the Domestic Abuse Bill or existing legislation to prosecute aid workers for sexual offences.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
17
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 spaces and confidential services for women are becoming more difficult to access. International aid organisations should work with local, community-based organisations in-country to continue to provide gender-based support and access to services throughout the covid-19 pandemic. This should be taken as an opportunity to consider how these services can be more locally led in future too.
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Government response AI summary
The government response discusses existing provisions for criminal record checks for aid workers and the establishment of a working group to explore related issues, which is entirely unrelated to the committee's recommendation regarding COVID-19 impact on women and local, community-based gender support services.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
18
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 to perpetuate as occurred during the 2018–20 Ebola response in the DRC.
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Government response AI summary
The government response addresses UN immunity for staff committing crimes, which is unrelated to the committee's recommendation regarding diversity and inclusion in aid organisations' senior leadership.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
20
Conclusion
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 place, we fear that what happened during the 2018–20 Ebola response in the DRC could continue to occur in humanitarian aid settings around the world. (Paragraph 83) Standards, accountability and regulation
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Government response AI summary
The government responds by stating it will continue to support whistleblower protections, citing its work in the UN General Assembly to implement recommendations from a 2018 review of whistleblower policies, without directly addressing the committee's concern about transforming power dynamics and culture.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
23
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 is a severe limitation. The FCDO should undertake further monitoring of its implementation partners’ adherence to the enhanced safeguarding due diligence requirements in the countries where programmes are implemented to assess how they work with aid beneficiaries. The results of these assessments should be used to inform the FCDO’s ongoing relationship with these organisations. If their implementation of recommendations is found to be too slow then the FCDO should consider the measures it has at its disposal—such banning that organisation from applying for future contracts—to hold the organisation accountable for its actions.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response discusses the importance of commitment to tackling SEA and lists existing projects related to peacekeeping missions, but does not address the recommendation for FCDO to undertake further in-country monitoring of implementation partners.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
24
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 on tackling the sexual exploitation and abuse of aid beneficiaries
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Government response AI summary
The government response details actions taken within UN fora related to peacekeeping operations and uniformed contingents, but does not address the recommendation to explore utilising NHRIs for oversight and appeals functions for victims in the aid sector.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
26
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 workers to undertake an Enhanced DBS check before they can work with aid beneficiaries. (Paragraph 100) The United Nations (UN)
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Government response AI summary
The government response outlines its commitment to gender equality through the Strategic Vision and the UK International Development Act, but does not address the recommendation to amend regulations for Enhanced DBS checks for aid workers.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
28
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 should set out how it holds the multilateral organisations that it funds to account when their safeguarding procedures are proven to be inadequate to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse by their employees.
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Government response AI summary
The government states it intends to replicate DFID's approach to annual reports, but does not address the specific request to seek assurances from WHO or set out how it holds multilateral organizations accountable for safeguarding failures.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
29
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 the United States Congress to hold US aid delivery partners to account for their conduct. The UK should advocate to the UN on its responsibility to protect whistle-blowers and the important role they play in bringing abuses to light.
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Government response AI summary
The government response focuses on the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for PSVI, the integration of FCDO functions, and the development of a new three-year strategy for tackling conflict-related sexual violence, but does not address the specific recommendations regarding whistleblower protection or advocacy to the UN.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
30
Recommendation
Seventh Report - Progress on tackling t…
Not Addressed
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 …
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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 these initiatives have had to improve the experience of aid beneficiaries on the ground. The UN Special Coordinator and Victims’ Rights Advocate have important roles to play in ensuring tangible improvement is achieved. To ensure sustained high- level leadership on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, the role of the Special Coordinator should be a full-time position.
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Government response AI summary
The government response discusses FCDO's general approach to encouraging partners to include SEAH costs and its risk management, but does not address the recommendation that the UN Special Coordinator role should be a full-time position.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office