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Aid sector failing to tackle sexual exploitation, report by UK MPs
Last Updated: 2018-08-01 07:12 | Xinhua
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Sexual exploitation and abuse is endemic across organisations, countries and institutions, and there had been a collective failure of leadership and engagement from top levels down over many years, a report by British politicians said Tuesday.

"The apparent inability to deal well with allegations, complaints and cases involving the abuse of power extends to the organisations' own governance and employment practices in the UK and at international levels in the UN," said the report.

The House of Commons International Development Select Committee in a call for action wants a full response to the so-called Haiti scandal.

The charity sector was rocked when it was revealed that aid workers at one of Britain's best known international charities, Oxfam, had sexually exploited victims they were supposed to help in disaster zones, such as the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake.

Committee chair, Stephen Twigg, MP, said six months after the London-based Times newspaper exposed abuse in earthquake-ravaged Haiti, the committee was publishing its first look at the troubling issue of sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector.

"Many things have changed in that time with the aid sector, but one thing has not," said Twigg, saying it was the abject failure of the international aid sector to get to grips with this issue, leaving victims at the mercy of those who seek to use power to abuse others.

"This must be tackled. Victims and whistleblowers must not end up feeling penalized for speaking out. Humanitarian organisations and the UN cannot continue a 'culture of denial' when confronted with allegations," added Twigg.

He said the committee was deeply concerned that previous attempts have amounted to limited action in order to quell media clamour with no lasting impact or redress.

Twigg said: "We acknowledge that today's report, though damning, is a small, first step, but take note, we are putting all the relevant authorities on notice. The committee will continue to give this high priority and we will be tracking progress with a view to ensuring real improvement is made."

The committee wants screening aid workers, so known perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse are identified and prevented from moving into new positions. It also wants a global register of aid workers who will operate according to expected standards to act as one barrier to sexual predators seeking to enter the international development profession.

(Editor:王苏)

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Aid sector failing to tackle sexual exploitation, report by UK MPs
Source:Xinhua | 2018-08-01 07:12
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