Sex abuse in the aid sector

Updated: Wed, 7 Oct 2020

Increases in aid sex abuse complaints reflect tougher scrutiny, Britain says

Britain says sexual exploitation and harassment by aid workers happens ‘far too often’ and pledges new measures to support victims and punish perpetrators

UK lawmakers hear more reports of aid worker sex abuse in Congo
At least eight reports of sexual assault and abuse by aid workers in Democratic Republic of Congo have been made By Nellie Pyeton | Wed, 21 Oct 2020
WHO names independent body to investigate Congo sex abuse claims
Sex abuse victims' advocate will help lead commission investigating claims of sexual exploitation by aid workers in Congo Ebola outbreak By Nellie Peyton | Thu, 15 Oct 2020
Congo to investigate 'jobs-for-sex' reports during Ebola outbreak
Dozens of women have made accusations of sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers during the 2018-2020 Ebola crisis By Nellie Peyton | Fri, 9 Oct 2020
UN agencies IOM, UNICEF vow to investigate 'jobs-for-sex' in DRC
Five U.N. agencies and NGOs have vowed to investigate claims women were forced to have sex for jobs during the recent Ebola crisis By Nellie Peyton | Wed, 30 Sep 2020
WHO 'outraged' by sex abuse reports in Congo Ebola operation
The Thomson Reuters Foundation reported on Tuesday that more than 50 women have accused Ebola aid workers from the WHO By Reuters | Fri, 2 Oct 2020
Aid groups should face tougher action over sex abuse by staff
Failure to tackle sexual abuse by aid staff should result in tougher action including funding cuts, aid experts told UK parliament By Sonia Elks | Wed, 7 Oct 2020
exclusive Rise in sexual abuse cases in aid groups as more victims speak up
Aid industry has come under scrutiny after revelations that Oxfam staff used prostitutes in Haiti during 2010 relief mission snowballed into widespread reports of harassment and abuse By Lin Taylor | Mon, 11 Feb 2019
exclusive Sexual abuse cases expected to rise as charities remove offenders
The aid industry came under scrutiny earlier this year after revelations that Oxfam staff used prostitutes in Haiti during an earthquake relief mission in 2010 By Umberto Bacchi | Thu, 9 Aug 2018
Sexual predators leaving aid world following Oxfam scandal
The aid world has come under intense scrutiny following reports that Oxfam staff used sex workers in Haiti after the country's 2010 earthquake By Emma Batha | Tue, 3 Jul 2018
Women aid workers warn against 'culture of silence'
"It is the behaviour of these men, not our complaint of their behaviour, which damages the sector's reputation and public trust" By Lin Taylor | Thu, 8 Mar 2018
British aid agencies report more abuse cases
"We will find you. We will bring you to justice. Your time is up" By Emma Batha | Mon, 5 Mar 2018
Sex abuse scandal widens to Britain's foreign aid agency
Minister of State for Africa Harriett Baldwin told parliament that "under five" DFID staff members were formally reported for sexual harassment in 2017 By Ana Ionova | Wed, 28 Feb 2018
UK says 'grotesque' charity sex abuse scandal is 'wake up call'
"We have a real opportunity now to do something lasting" By Emma Batha | Mon, 26 Feb 2018
Global charity boss calls for screening to catch sexual predators
"This is our 2008 financial crisis moment" By Emma Batha | Mon, 26 Feb 2018
exclusive More than 120 aid workers sacked, lost jobs over sexual misconduct
The disclosures came as charities in the aid sector pledged to overhaul their approach to dealing with accusations of sexual misconduct and harassment By Umberto Bacchi | Wed, 21 Feb 2018
Aid sector must innovate to deliver value for money - officials
"For far too long, when faced with a challenge, we've looked inward and crafted a solution that doesn't work for the communities we're meant to serve" By Zoe Tabary | Mon, 19 Feb 2018
Don't scapegoat Oxfam over sex abuse scandal in Haiti - agencies
"In the humanitarian world, this (behavior) happens" By Sebastien Malo | Wed, 14 Feb 2018
exclusive Six of 10 aid agencies open about sex abuse cases amid scandal
"We remain very concerned that many incidents are not reported and know that our mechanisms need to be improved" By Lin Taylor | Tue, 13 Feb 2018
UK's Oxfam hit by new report of sex abuse by aid workers
Haiti president decries "violation of basic human decency" By Reuters | Tue, 13 Feb 2018
Are funding fears driving charities to hide sex abuse?
"This is not the excuse to cut aid, this is the excuse to fix aid" By Umberto Bacchi | Mon, 12 Feb 2018
U.N. agencies vow to ramp up fight against sexual harassment
"There is no place for sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment, especially in an organisation dedicated to serving and protecting others" By Umberto Bacchi | Wed, 31 Jan 2018
Sex abuse cases stalk aid sector with dozens fired
"Unfortunately, there are incidents of sexual harassment in every sector and every country around the world, and the aid sector is no exception" By Lin Taylor | Mon, 13 Nov 2017
British charity Oxfam dismisses 22 staff over sexual abuse
Oxfam said it dealt with 87 claims of sexual exploitation and abuse involving its workers in the year ending April 2017 By Umberto Bacchi | Tue, 31 Oct 2017