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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

Charity admits sex abuse on Scottish Government funded aid programme

This news post is almost 6 years old
 

Tearfund revealed details after the Scottish Government contacted groups it works with in the wake of sex abuse revelations

Christian charity Tearfund says it took "swift and appropriate” action after it became aware of allegations of sexual abuse in one of its aid programmes.

A staff member aid on a partly Scottish Government-funded project in Malawi was dismissed and reported to police for sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl, The Times reported at the weekend.

Tearfund revealed details after the Holyrood administration contacted groups it works with in the wake of thesex abuse revelations which rocked the aid sector.

The charity confirmed it involved a staff member at a partner organisation in 2009.

Tearfund said it was “deeply saddened” by the incident and it has met with international development minister Alasdair Allan to discuss it.

The Tearfund incident came to light following a Freedom of Information request by The Times which uncovered a report sent by the charity to the Scottish Government.

A statement issued by the charity read: “Tearfund is deeply saddened by the incident.

“The incident involved an employee of the partner organisation who abused a 16 year old girl within that organisation’s care.

“When a Tearfund staff member in Malawi was notified of the allegation of abuse, even though the allegation did not involve a Tearfund staff member, we ensured our safeguarding procedures we had at the time were followed. A Tearfund Child Protection Officer also intervened to ensure that swift and appropriate action was taken.

“This included providing care for the individual who was harmed, and the partner organisation launching an investigation. The individual was provided counselling and moved away from the project. The incident was reported to the Malawi police, and the partner organisation dismissed their staff member. Tearfund ceased working with this partner organisation in 2010.

“We remain committed to the safeguarding and protection of everyone we work with, including beneficiaries, volunteers, Tearfund staff and the staff of partner organisations.”

The aid sector is still reeling from a series of revelations which flowed from the Oxfam scandal in February.

Then there were allegations that staff in the 2010 Haiti earthquake disaster zone had hired prostitutes.

Further allegations were made about conduct in aid organisations.

Scots aid charities confirmed they have reported staff members over allegations of sexual misconduct during their operations abroad.

The Halo Trust, the charity made famous by Princess Diana, confirmed it had suspended a Burmese member of staff in January concerning allegations of sexual abuse. That case is ongoing.

Mercy Ships – the charity backed by Stagecoach co-founder Ann Gloag – and the Scottish Catholic Aid Fund (Sciaf) also reported a misconduct case, as did Argyll-based charity Mary’s Meals, which reported an incidence of misconduct of a staff member who became involved in an “inappropriate relationship” in 2017.

In the wake of this, Mr Allan wrote to Scottish charities urging them to ensure robust policies were in place to protect vulnerable groups.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "The vast majority of those working in international development and humanitarian emergencies do so in a diligent and appropriate manner.

"However we are deeply concerned about any reports of serious misconduct within the sector and we will not tolerate any form of human rights abuses or misconduct, wherever they take place.

"We expect all partner organisations to monitor their work closely, and to be open, honest and transparent, especially on projects funded by the public sector."