In recent years, Oxfam has made substantial changes to the way that we approach safeguarding. But we recognize that there is so much more that we need to do, and we are committed to continually learning to make Oxfam a safer place for all.
SAFEGUARDING IN ACTION
Reports on sexual misconduct cases in Haiti have led Oxfam to take a hard look at our past mistakes. We are committed to building a culture that does not tolerate abuse. As part of this commitment, we publish a report every six months on all safeguarding cases we have completed across the Oxfam confederation.
HOW WE ARE KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE
We have continued to strengthen our approach to safeguarding by increasing the number of safeguarding specialist staff. We now have dedicated safeguarding focal points in every country where Oxfam is present, who work with staff and communities. We have been adapting to COVID-19 too - creating online safeguarding training tools to ensure that staff, volunteers, and partners are provided with effective support and training during this period.
But we won't stop there, we recognize that there is so much more to do.
We believe that only by being open and transparent about the problem can we tackle it – no organization can ever say it is free from the risk of abuse and harassment, but we will continue to be accountable in how we manage these risks and respond swiftly when incidents do occur; striving to provide survivors with the right support at every stage.
We know that living our values is every bit as important as what we achieve and we must not lose sight of that. Report misconduct here.
SAFEGUARDING IN OUR WORK
Building and institutionalizing a values-driven culture within Oxfam. Our goal is to ensure that no one faces sexism, discrimination, or abuse – that everyone feels safe speaking out and everyone is clear on what behavior is acceptable or not. This requires ensuring that Oxfam as an organization embraces gender equality, prevents abuses of power, and has zero tolerance of sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation. Oxfam America launched an 18-month Gender Action Learning process and established a Gender Justice & Inclusion Hub to integrate and strengthen gender justice within the organization and in our work.
Put substantially more resources into keeping people safe: Oxfam has doubled the number of staff dedicated to preventing abuse and sexual misconduct and tripled the financial resources devoted to this work. This includes improvements to our system that allows people to report abuse that can be easily used by the communities we serve, and by staff and volunteers. We have strengthened and introduced new safeguarding policies and rolled out an enhanced e-learning courses for staff with greater focus on behaviors, culture, and safeguarding.
Working with our peers across the sector to tackle physical, sexual, and emotional abuse: Oxfam America President & CEO, Abby Maxman, is a champion and co-lead on the CEO Taskforce at InterAction. Abby, along with 140 CEOs, have signed a pledge that includes taking steps to ensure perpetrators cannot be re-employed by other members of the international aid community. Oxfam America has also taken on a leadership and technical advisory role to support safeguarding work happening across the sector.
