Save the Children Australia welcomes the release of the Independent Review into the Practice and Response of Australian Council of International Development (ACFID) Members in the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct conducted by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM).
The independent review made 31 recommendations which have all been accepted by ACFID – Australia’s peak-body for aid and international development NGOs.
As Australia’s leading child rights organisation, Save the Children also accepts the findings and recommendations of the independent review, and commits to their implementation.
“The Australian community places great trust in organisations like Save the Children and we have a duty to hold ourselves to the highest of standards,” Save the Children Australia CEO Paul Ronalds said.
“The independent review reminds us all that there is no room for complacency, whether it be in relation to the protection of vulnerable children or the safety of our dedicated staff.
“One instance of sexual harassment or sexual abuse is one too many, whether it be within the aid sector or in any part of our community.
“We are not immune, and we must acknowledge our failures in order to uphold our values and prevent harm in the future.
“Save the Children particularly welcomes the independent review’s recommendation to ensure the needs of the survivor are the primary concern in all responses to sexual misconduct.”
As a leader in child safeguarding, Save the Children is continuously improving our reporting and surveillance of child safeguarding incidents as a critical step towards keeping children safe in all our work.
In an important step toward improving our own approach to child safeguarding and child safe practices in the community, Save the Children proudly merged with one of Australia's leading not-for-profit child protection and child safeguarding agencies, Child Wise, in late 2017.
Save the Children Australia is fully accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). As such, Save the Children fully complies with the rigorous reporting obligations required by the Australian Government.
Save the Children Australia collaborated with the independent review which is available here.
For details contact Alex Sampson on 0429 943 027.