London - British charity Oxfam failed in
its response to allegations of sexual abuse by aid workers in
Haiti, tolerated poor behaviour and broke promises to meet
safeguarding standards, a report by the UK charities' regulator
said on Tuesday.
Oxfam GB said it accepted the findings of the Charity
Commission and was implementing its recommendations.
Oxfam, one of Britain's biggest charities, was thrown into
crisis last year when it was reported that some former staff in
Haiti paid for sex while on a mission to help those affected by
a 2010 earthquake.
The charity subsequently apologised but the scandal prompted
Britain to suspend funding to Oxfam.
The report found it did not do enough to establish whether
the victims of sexual misconduct in Haiti were minors, did not
report the allegations and treated senior staff more leniently
than junior staff.
While the report found no evidence of a cover-up, it said
that the charity's promises on safeguarding had not always been
backed up with action.
"What went wrong in Haiti did not happen in isolation," said
Helen Stephenson, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission.
"Our inquiry demonstrates that, over a period of years, Oxfam's
internal culture tolerated poor behaviour and at times lost
sight of the values it stands for.
"Significant further cultural and systemic change is
required to address the failings and weaknesses our report
identifies."
The regulator issued Oxfam GB with an official warning and
the charity must now set out a plan of action to improve its
standards and implement the report's recommendations.
Oxfam GB said it accepted it should have improved its
safeguarding practices and reduce the risk of sexual abuse
occurring. The charity has appointed a new Director of
Safeguarding and tripled its investment in the area.
"What happened in Haiti was shameful and we are deeply
sorry. It was a terrible abuse of power and an affront to the
values that Oxfam holds dear," Caroline Thomson, Chair of
Trustees at Oxfam GB, said in a statement
"But I am confident that Oxfam GB is changing, and that the
steps we are taking are putting Oxfam on the right path for the
future."