Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Mr. Mangnall praised his colleagues for their work on sexual abuse in the aid sector and supported the idea of creating a new international body to document crimes, support survivors, and help launch prosecutions.

Ms Fiona Bruce focused on the abuse suffered by women and girls in Pakistan, citing specific cases of abducted and sexually abused minors. She questioned if UK taxpayers' money should fund a country where such rights violations occur frequently, noting that approximately 1,000 girls from religious minorities face abduction annually.

He asked if there is an obligation on charitable bodies to ensure that when seeking a character reference for a job applicant, the full details of their previous employment are included. Jim Shannon praised the work of several MPs in addressing sexual abuse and exploitation, highlighting the importance of NGOs and charities doing their part to prevent such abuses. He expressed shock at reports of NGO workers exploiting vulnerable individuals in Haiti and called for better safeguarding measures, including DBS checks and a requirement for NGOs to report cases where harm has been caused.

Maria Miller praised the work of her colleagues on sexual exploitation and child marriage, urging the Minister to listen closely. She expressed shock at revelations about abuse in international organisations and highlighted the need for long-term commitment from the Government to address these issues. She asked for clarity on the role of the FCDO in addressing sexual exploitation and requested a reconfirmation of the strategic vision for gender equality.

Richard Thomson highlighted the issue of sexual abuse and exploitation in aid organisations, noting cases from various countries. He emphasised the need for cultural change within these organisations to ensure zero tolerance towards abusers and mechanisms for reporting concerns without fear of consequences. He also proposed that more women should be represented in leadership roles within aid agencies.

Ms. Champion criticized the aid sector for its slow response to sexual exploitation and abuse, highlighting a lack of prevention measures and cultural issues within organizations. She noted that the UN peacekeepers continue to perpetrate such abuses despite policy frameworks designed to prevent it. She emphasized the need for an independent mechanism for reporting and protection for victims.

Mr Doughty highlighted the systemic nature of sexual abuse and exploitation in various sectors, not just international aid agencies. He cited his own experience in Malawi where he saw how power imbalances can lead to such issues. Emphasizing the importance of consistent cross-party action, Mr Doughty urged the Minister to consider continuing scrutiny of official development assistance budgets. He also raised concerns about inadequate attention given to protecting whistleblowers and called for an independent ombudsman to ensure accountability. Does that apply to all staff in all Departments spending ODA and all those contracted to those Departments? That is important.