Bond’s response to ICAI’s report on the UK’s approach to safeguarding in the humanitarian sector

Stephanie Draper, CEO at Bond, said:
“The UK government has taken important steps to provide leadership and strengthen safeguarding standards across the sector, but we know there is a long way to go and the FCDO is a critical player in this. There is still a lack of data around incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse, what works where and how to prevent it, which is holding progress back. This needs to be addressed.

“We would encourage the FCDO to move beyond compliance and minimum standards because this can unintentionally undermine community-led initiatives that work. Ultimately, the voices of victims and survivors need to be sought out and heard and this work needs to be adequately funded so organisations do not need to cut corners when it comes to safeguarding.”