**UPDATE: There have since been revelations that the country director in Haiti who replaced the previously disgraced director was also dismissed in September 2017 following 'inappropriate behaviour' and 'mismanagement'. The charity has also lost important endorsements from celebrities, including Minnie Driver who has quit her role as OXFAM ambassador. **
If there was one industry we expected to be immune from sexual abuse scandals, it’s the charitable sector. We even wrote a list of all of the industries rife with sexual harassmentyet to be exposed, and this didn’t enter our minds once. Yet, the very industry built on having a moral compass, is now in the throws of a huge exploitation scandal. If you haven’t heard, the charity responsible for giving us further despair in humanity is Oxfam- the fourth most donated to charity in the UK.
The scandal so far is not just that senior aid workers engaged in sexual exploitative behavior on two different aids missions, not that they were promoted to more senior roles despite concerns, but that Oxfam was actually well aware of the incidents in question and covered it up.
In 2011, Oxfam revealed publically that seven men working on a mission in Haiti had been dismissed or resigned after an internal investigation uncovered ‘serious misconduct’. According to The Times, the Charity Commission- a government body that regulates charities - was ‘categorically told there was no abuse of beneficiaries involved in the allegations’.
The investigation had been into the use of prostitution, downloading pornography plus found evidence of bullying and intimidation. Oxfam’s choice to omit the nature of the ‘serious misconduct’ has highlighted a huge error in judgement, with some accusing the charity of having a moral obligation to inform the public of it back in 2011. In a statement by Oxfam, they said:
‘Oxfam’s investigation of the Haiti case resulted in the creation of a dedicated Safeguarding Team, a confidential whistleblowing line and more comprehensive policies.’
However, The Times expose reports that two men were appointed to senior humanitarian roles in the country after the charity was already aware of conduct concerns against them amidst the scandal. Both men worked together on a previous mission in Chad in 2006, where further concerns have come to light that Oxfam claim not to have been aware of.
Internal documents leaked to The Times show that Oxfam chiefs were worried about Roland van Hauwermeiren, and the other aid worker in question, before appointing him to country director in Haiti. The report said that the ‘recruitment [process] identified some weaknesses in his management (e.g. gender issues)’ and asked, ‘Were sufficient checks put in place to monitor this?’
Supposedly, Van Hauwermeiren dealt with four sexual harassment complaints against the other aid worker, which included ‘bullying, harassing and exposing himself’ however he kept his job and was instead moved to single-sex accommodation where other men reported him being involved in a ‘full-on Caligula orgy’ with young prostitutes who could have been underage. The man was eventually dismissed, but went on to work for an aid agency, Cafod, in the Philippines as Oxfam did not disclose his reasons for dismissal to them. The charity has now suspended him.
This was not a singular example for Oxfam, whom also chose not to disclose the reasons for Van Hauwermeiren’s resignation in 2011, which was described as ‘phased and dignified’, when asked by his next employer Action Against Hunger. The charity therefore hired him for another three years until 2014 where he worked on missions in Bangladesh.
The choice to hide this information from the public has been widely criticized, raising concerns that the police should have been involved, especially once prostitution allegations were made. Former chief operations for the UN’s Emergency Coordination Centre told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
‘The impact of sex tourism laws make it unlawful for anybody to have sex with children under the age of 16 anywhere in the world or aid, abet or support that.
‘If they are adults, this man should be charged in front of the courts in Haiti because prostitution is illegal. If they are children, they should be charged in front of the courts here because he’s broken the sex tourism laws. If they are uncertain they should pass the dossier to the police for investigation.’
The charity now faces potential funding cuts from the government, a possible loss of £34 million if last year’s figures are anything to go on. Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary, is today set to demand ‘moral leadership’ from the charities chief executive Mark Goldring, who states that he is ‘deeply ashamed about Oxfam’s behaviour’. He told ITV News
‘The hundreds of thousands of people who support Oxfam every month are compromised by this and to everybody I do apologise’.
Whether or not the charity leaders will be able to convince government ministers not to cut-off funding will be seen later today once crisis talks are completed.
Click through to see the social media stars fighting global injustices online...
Inspirational Instagram Accounts You Should Follow
1 of 24Women In Comics
Illustrating inspirational images and depicting women in comic form, this account will brighten up your timeline with some home truths in the form of pretty pictures.
2 of 24Adwoa Aboah
This insanely beautiful model founded GURLS TALK, an online community where women from all backgrounds can share their personal experiences in a safe space.
3 of 24Alicia Garza
Alicia is an editor and activist who co-created #BlackLivesMatter. Her feed is a mixture of relatable memes, unfiltered selfies and educational posts to keep you woke.
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4 of 24Amandla Stenberg
You might recognise this actor from The Hunger Games, when she played the character only character we cried endless tears for, Rue. Now, while still acting, she's a full-fledged activist posting about everything gender, feminism and black culture.
5 of 24MuslimGirl/Amani
Amani created the fast-growing activism account @MuslimGirl, another one you should definitely follow. She has spoken across the world about Muslim women and posts everything from badass selfies to stats you need to know.
6 of 24Amber Amour
Amber created @CreatingConsentCulture which aims to educate people on rape culture and support rape and sexual assault survivors. She's also outspoken about racism and sex work, her feed will be endless many dinner party talking points.
7 of 24Amber Rose
You may only know Amber Rose as Kanye's ex, but think again. Amber is a sex positivity icon, with her own pocast 'Loveline with Amber Rose' up until 2018 that aimed to promote healthy sexual relationships and self-love. If you can get past the fact she advertised flat tummy tea once (fgs Amber), you'll love her feminism-filled feed.
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8 of 24Beverly Bond
Author of 'Black Girls Rock', Beverly's posts will have you both inspired and enraged, filled with commentary on everyday injustices.
9 of 24Bree Newsome
You may recognise Bree as the activist who took down the confederate flag from a flagpole outside the South Carolina Capitol building. She's continuing her activism with inspiring art you need to see.
10 of 24Cameron Russell
An american model who called out the fashion industry for sexual harassment and assault, she started the #MyJobShouldNotIncludeAbuse hashtag. Her instagram is full of inspiring stories and educational videos exposing different injustices within her industry and beyond.
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11 of 24Iskra Lawrence
If your not already following Iskra, your living under an Instagram rock. The body positive model started her own business, everyBODY with Iskra, to give health and fitness advice beyond just getting super skinny. You need her body posi vibes in your life.
12 of 24Jessamyn
Another super body positive account to follow, Jessamyn is a yoga teacher regularly posting about the emotional and physical benefits of body positivity and practicing yoga.
13 of 24Joanna Thangiah
Shun your timeline of filtered selfies and over exposed holiday destinations. It's time for some feminist, mental health aware art! This account is amazing for cute cartoons that say everything we're already feeling.
14 of 24Judy Reyes
You'll probably remember Judy as Carla from Scrubs, or one of the other thousand TV show she's been in throughout her insanely successful career. Unlike most Hollywood actors, her Insta is full of activism and news you need to know.
15 of 24Logan Browning
Activist and actor, Logan Browning is the lead of Netflix hit Dear White People. Posting powerful content and links to charities you can donate to so you can turn your online activism into action- she's a force to be reckoned with.
16 of 24Makers Women
MAKERS is a storytelling platform for women, posting quotes to keep you inspired throughout the day. Stay up to date with gender injustice, while also feeling hopeful with the powerful words these amazing women have to say.
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17 of 24Nimisha Bhanot
Another artist you need to follow, Nimisha creates amazing prints (which you can buy) critiquing societal perceptions of South Asian women. She's based in Canada, but these prints can brighten up your timeline anywhere.
18 of 24Muslim Girl
Muslim Girl, where 'muslim women talk back' is an account ran by Amani. Advocating for issues facing muslim women, both accounts are an inspiration and necessity on your feed.
19 of 24Project Consent
There's no time like the present to be educating people on consent. This account does exactly that, and gives you the perfect explanations, comebacks and reminders to throw out at a dinner party if the issue comes up.
20 of 24Rowan Blanchard
Gone are the days of Disney stars going off the rails, this actor and activist is a beacon of positivity- especially online. Fighting gender and race injustice and beyond, she's one to watch.
21 of 24Rupi Kaur
Rupi made headlines in 2015 when she posted pictures of her on Instagram with visible menstrual blood. Her posts were blocked by Instagram, causing backlash against the social media platform. She continues to break boundaries with her writing and poetry.
22 of 24Sophie King
This UK based embroidery artist is an up-and-coming star, embroidering feminist slogans onto everything from bras to roses. Bring her insta to life with her slogan t-shirts, or just stare at the pretty pictures, either way she's someone you should follow.
23 of 24The Vulva Gallery
Our favourite of all the accounts, the vulva gallery promotes self-love in an area SO often ignored. With two-thirds of women avoiding smear tests, life-saving procedures, because of the look of their vagina, it's time we stopped all of the self-loathing around genitals. Providing a regular reminder that all vaginas are beautiful, if you only follow one account of this list, it should be this one.
24 of 24Trash Is For Tossers
Lauren Singer lives an entirely waste-free life. Yes, you can actually do that. As #plasticfree takes over our news feed, it's time you had some daily advice on how exactly to reduce your waste. Save the planet!
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.