Aid workers face ‘gross misconduct’ for sexual relationships

AID workers face ‘gross misconduct’ proceedings for sexual relationships with those receiving aid.

Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has implemented a ban on sexual relationships between staff and individuals receiving aid. The Government has warned that aid workers who are found ignoring the ban will be facing ’gross misconduct’ proceedings.

It has also banned ‘sexual activity with children regardless of the age of consent locally, exchange of money, employment, goods, or services for sex.’

The ruling comes as the FDCO stresses the ‘inherently unequal power dynamics that can lead to increased vulnerability to sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment if power is abused’.

Up until now, the official guidance was that sexual relationships between aid workers and beneficiaries were only ‘strongly discouraged’.

Sarah Champion, chair of the International Development Select Committee, said she was “appalled” to learn that sex with beneficiaries wasn’t a sackable offense.

An investigation by The Thomson Reuters Foundation and The New Humanitarian found that more than 50 women accused aid workers from World Health Organization, the U.N. migration agency (IOM), the U.N. children’s agency (UNICEF), Oxfam, World Vision, Medecins Sans Frontieres and ALIMA demanding sex for jobs during the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak.

_____________________________________________________________________

Thank you for taking the time to read this news article “Aid workers face ‘gross misconduct’ for sexual relationships”. For more UK daily news, Spanish daily news and Global news stories, visit the Euro Weekly News home page.

Euro Weekly News is delighted to continue be able to bring you a range of News from around Spain in English and Global News live as it happens.

Euro Weekly News doesn’t cost you anything but your internet connection. Whether it’s bringing you the local Spanish news or the International news today, we’ve got you covered!

Euro Weekly News, the leading free local and national newspaper in Spain, the people’s paper, we lead others follow!

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Sarah Keane

Former teacher and health services manager with a Degree in English, Sarah moved to Spain from Southern Ireland with her husband, who runs his own car rental business, in 2019. She is now enjoying a completely different pace and quality of life on the Costa Blanca South, with wonderful Spanish and expat friends in Cabo Roig. Sarah began working with Euro Weekly News in 2020 and loves nothing more than bringing all the latest national and international news to her local community.

Comments