By James Simons-
The chief executive of Oxfam is under investigation for his handling of a sex abuse claim, it has emerged.
Mark Goldring will be scrutinized by MPs over Oxfam’s aid work in Haiti amid allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by staff.
It has now been revealed that he is the subject of an internal probe at the charity. The inquiry follows a complaint made last month over how senior management had responded to requests to re-open a 2010 case involving allegations of sexual abuse.
Senior management reportedly did not handle the complaint seriously or professionally at the time it was made.
Gavin Stewart, Oxfam vice-chair of trustees, said: “Oxfam takes all complaints seriously and so this is being examined by a team that is independent of management and has no previous involvement in this case. I expect the team to report their findings to me on schedule, later this month.
“The complaint related to events in late 2017 and was made by an individual who was not involved in 2010.”
Caroline Thomson, the chair of trustees, and Winnie Byanyima, executive director of Oxfam International, both told the committee they were “ashamed” of what happened in Haiti.
Ms Byanyima said she has spent her life protecting women. “This is painful for me,” she added.
Ms Thomson, who became chairwoman of Oxfam’s trustees in 2017, said the charity council’s task was to ensure it is “never again” at risk of being perceived to have put reputation over accountability.
Mr Goldring said there was now a safeguarding team and helpline at Oxfam and the charity was seeking more independent support.
Committee chairman Stephen Twigg said his committee would conduct a full inquiry into sexual misconduct in the aid sector in the wake of the scandal.
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“The complaint related to events in late 2017 and was made by an individual who was not involved in 2010.”
The original case will be considered as part of the independent commission announced by Oxfam last week, when executive director Winnie Byanyima promised to root out any wrongdoing at the charity and provide justice for anyone abused by its staff.
Caroline Thomson, the chair of trustees, and Winnie Byanyima, executive director of Oxfam International, both told the committee they were “ashamed” of what happened in Haiti.
Ms Byanyima said she has spent her life protecting women. “This is painful for me,” she added.
Ms Thomson, who became chairwoman of Oxfam’s trustees in 2017, said the charity council’s task was to ensure it is “never again” at risk of being perceived to have put reputation over accountability.
Mr Goldring said there was now a safeguarding team and helpline at Oxfam and the charity was seeking more independent support.
Committee chairman Stephen Twigg said his committee would conduct a full inquiry into sexual misconduct in the aid sector in the wake of the scandal.
BULLYING
A redacted version of an internal report from 2011, released on Monday, revealed that three of the men accused of sexual misconduct in Haiti physically threatened witnesses during an investigation. It showed that :
One Oxfam employee was dismissed and three resigned for using prostitutes on Oxfam premises. The use of underage prostitutes was not ruled out
Two more were dismissed for bullying and intimidation – one of whom also downloaded pornographyAnother man was sacked for failing to protect staff
During the committee hearing, it emerged that one of them was re-employed for Oxfam on a short-term contract in another country.