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Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
04 November 2020
Lead MP
Pauline Latham
Mid Derbyshire
Con
Responding Minister
James Cleverly
Tags
EmploymentForeign Affairs
Word Count: 13689
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Pauline Latham raised concerns about sexual abuse and exploitation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Pauline Latham asks the government to implement measures such as requiring Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for frontline aid workers, establishing an aid worker registration scheme, encouraging regular reporting of safeguarding data, and setting up an ombudsman to simplify legal systems for victims.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Pauline Latham is concerned about the ongoing issue of sexual exploitation and abuse by international peacekeepers and overseas aid workers. She highlights historical cases from Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Namibia, Thailand, and the Democratic Republic of Congo where victims were often unable to obtain redress due to lack of knowledge on reporting mechanisms and legal complexities. She also mentions how perpetrators can resign quietly and continue their abusive behaviour elsewhere, causing a continuous cycle of abuse.
Anthony Mangnall
Con
Fylde
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.
Fiona Bruce
Con
Congleton
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.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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
Con
Basingstoke
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
SNP
Dunbartonshire East
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.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
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.
Stephen Doughty
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
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.
Government Response
James Cleverly
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Derbyshire (Mrs Latham) not just for securing this debate, but for having been a passionate voice in this area for a considerable time, and long before this issue was in the broader public consciousness. Sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment are completely unacceptable, especially in a sector whose purpose is to help the most vulnerable. Since 2018, the UK has spearheaded work to tackle sexual misconduct in the aid sector with initiatives such as a £10 million multi-year initiative with Interpol to identify and stop perpetrators from working in the sector. The UK Government has launched a misconduct disclosure scheme that prevented at least 36 people with track records of sexual misconduct from being employed by NGOs in 2019, and is developing tools to help organisations improve their safeguarding practices. In September, we published our first aid sector safeguarding strategy aiming for sector-wide change through global leadership; organisational change within the UK Government including a clear message out to all staff that safeguarding is a responsibility for everybody; and raising standards among those who deliver UK programmes overseas by strengthening due diligence assessments. The UK aims to place the rights, needs and wishes of victims and survivors at the centre of its response through four commitments: continuing to provide global leadership; holding ourselves to the same high standards we expect of others; transforming the aid sector so that everybody is treated with dignity and respect; and holding ourselves to account through transparent reporting and external scrutiny. Safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment remains a priority for the Government.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.