Development charity decided not to bid for government funding following misconduct allegations
Withdrawing from government funding is expected to cost Save the Children £67m.
The international development charity decided not to bid for government cash following claims of sexual misconduct by senior staff members earlier this year.
Its accounts for the year to 31 December 2017, published last month, revealed the charity anticipated an income loss in 2018.
In a statement made to Third Sector, it revealed that its estimated income for 2018 was £340m, down from £407m in 2017.
Allegations of sexual misconduct centred on claims that former chief executive Justin Forsyth sent inappropriate texts to female staff members. Inappropriate behaviour claims were also levelled against the charity’s former policy director Brendan Cox.
Kevin Watkins, the charity’s chief executive, said he was fully committed to implementing the changes needed.
However the charity was criticised for failing to investigate the allegations seriously when they were first made several years ago.
“Save the Children UK is now in the process of assessing the potential impact of this drop in funding for future years,” the charity’s statement said.
“The long-term underlying financial health of Save the Children UK is good, with impressive year-on-year growth in income from generous public and philanthropic donors. Save the Children UK’s budget plans are driven by a long-term strategy and goals and not by short-term changes to income around specific projects.”
Watkins said in the accounts: “Since starting as chief executive I have made it clear that I have zero tolerance for any form of harassment, bullying or disrespect in the workplace.
“We need to ensure that our work culture and behaviour reflects our values. The #MeToo movement has highlighted concerns over sexual harassment globally – and we should be part of efforts to address these concerns.”
The aid agency’s statement follows Oxfam’s announcement last month that it would make cuts to its operations due to a drop in funding after a sex abuse scandal centering on its staff that saw it kicked out of Haiti.
In light of the allegations charities have pledged to overhaul their approach to dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment.
