Aid charities are being forced to reveal sexual misconduct probes after Oxfam scandal
Scots aid charities have confirmed they have reported staff members over allegations of sexual misconduct during their operations abroad.
At the weekend the Halo Trust, the charity made famous by Princess Diana, confirmed it had suspended a Burmese member of staff in January concerning allegations of sexual abuse. That case is ongoing.
Mercy Ships – the charity backed by Stagecoach co-founder Ann Gloag – and the Scottish Catholic Aid Fund (Sciaf) also reported a misconduct case.
Meanwhile, on Friday it emerged that Argyll-based charity Mary’s Meals had reported an incidence of misconduct of a staff member who became involved in an “inappropriate relationship” in 2017.
In a statement the charity told TFN although no crime was committed, no minors were involved and the inappropriate behaviour did not occur while carrying out the charity’s activities, and the contact was consensual, the staff member’s actions “were in breach of our code of conduct, which sets high standards for all those involved in our mission.”
Scotland’s charity regulator said it wasn’t aware of the Sciaf case until last week and said it was also unaware of the allegation against a Halo Trust staff member.
Dumfries-based Halo Trust operates in 15 countries across the world and has been backed by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry as well as Angelina Jolie.
A spokesman for the charity said a member of staff in Burma had been accused of sexual assault, but denies the allegation. “The local British embassy and the Department for International Development were informed within 24 hours of the allegation,” he said.
Oxfam has been heavily criticised for the way it dealt with a 2011 inquiry into sexual abuse by staff following a devastating earthquake in 2010.
The charity has agreed not to bid for government cash until ministers are satisfied it can meet the “high standards” expected.
It comes as Oxfam revealed that three of the men accused of sexual misconduct in Haiti physically threatened witnesses during the 2011 investigation.
Seven Oxfam employees left the organisation as a result of their behaviour in Haiti in 2011, the report shows.
One employee was dismissed and three resigned for using prostitutes on Oxfam premises. The use of underage prostitutes was not ruled out.
