Oxfam GB sacks staff members after sexual misconduct investigation

Charity

Oxfam GB has sacked three members of staff following an investigation into sexual misconduct, bullying and intimidation and other claims in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The charity said allegations that would have resulted in dismissal were upheld against a fourth member of staff whose contract expired before the disciplinary process was complete.

Oxfam said the investigation, which was conducted by an external specialist, upheld allegations of sexual misconduct against two individuals, claims of nepotism against three individuals, allegations of bullying and intimidation against one individual and claims of inappropriate relationships against one individual.

It said a number of further allegations were investigated but not substantiated.

The charity said it would not name the people involved to protect the identities of survivors and witnesses.

It said that while the investigation into these four people had been completed, one other staff member remained suspended while further allegations of misconduct were investigated.

After the claims of sexual abuse in the DRC emerged, a government ban on Oxfam GB bidding for UK aid funding was reinstated, less than a month after it had been lifted.

The charity had a three-year pause on UK aid funding following a previous inquiry about the reporting of sexual misconduct allegations against project workers in Haiti.

Danny Sriskandarajah, chief executive of Oxfam GB, said today: “I apologise to everyone who has been hurt by these abuses of power and I hope the action we have taken demonstrates our resolve to tackle all forms of misconduct.

“Oxfam is committed to doing all we can to prevent abuses of power and to taking action where wrongdoing is found.  We strongly encourage anyone who has concerns to report them, so we can hold those responsible for misconduct accountable.”

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