Statement on safeguarding in the aid sector: 20 February 2018
20 February 2018 (updated on 20 February 2018)
International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt made a statement in the House of Commons on safeguarding in the aid sector on Tuesday 20 February 2018.
Mordaunt told the House that her "absolute priority is to keep the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people safe from harm. It is utterly despicable that sexual exploitation and abuse continue to exist in the aid sector".
Responding on behalf of the Opposition, Shadow International Development Secretary Kate Osamor said that there is a need to "focus on fixing the system, and have the conviction to stand up proudly for the good that UK aid can still do, which, even at this darkest moment, far exceeds the evil".
This statement follows allegations of sexual abuse and harassment perpetrated by aid workers, notably in Haiti in 2011.
- Watch Parliament TV: Statement on safeguarding in the aid sector
- Read Commons Hansard: Safeguarding in the aid sector
- Read the Secretary of State's written statement on Oxfam and UK action to tackle sexual exploitation in the aid sector
Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber. Please fill in our quick feedback survey to help us improve our news content.