The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) has apologised for “not believing or supporting individuals who told us that they had been subjected to sexual harassment” in response to a long-awaited review of its safeguarding practices, a summary of which was published today.
CIoF said it “failed in a number of ways” including not demonstrating adequate concern or providing sufficient support for people who had made disclosures to the membership body.
The review considered new evidence regarding a complaint of sexual harassment at the 2014 Fundraising Convention including an eye witness account of CIoF’s former chief executive being told about the incident and an email from the CEO describing “inappropriate” behaviour.
It concluded that “the former chief executive officer and/or CIoF did know, or should have known, in 2014 about the allegation of conduct amounting to sexual harassment/assault at that year’s Convention”.
More broadly, the review concluded that it is “more than likely” that the CIoF knew that sexual harassment/assault was an issue at CIoF (as well as in the wider sector) at material times” and that the institute “failed in its responses to historical allegations of sexual harassment/assault”.
CIoF said it fully accepts the findings and recommendations of the review.
Former CEO: ‘Biased and flawed’ review
CIoF originally commissioned an investigation by consultancy Tell Jane into a complaint that its former CEO Peter Lewis and the CIoF did not act on an allegation of sexual harassment in 2014.
In June 2021, it found that there was “no wrongdoing by Peter Lewis” but CIoF commissioned a second review by JEDI Consultancy, which concluded today with different findings.
Lewis, who led CIoF for 10 years until 2021, said he did not accept the “biased and flawed” JEDI Consultancy review’s findings.
“I have been clear throughout that no complaint or disclosure was ever made to me that I did not act on promptly,” he said.
“Under my leadership the CIoF took action, investigating complaints, changing the complaints process, employing Tell Jane, commissioning the Learning Review and developing the Action Plan which the CIOF has taken forward over the last three years.
“We did not get everything right, and once again, I offer my heartfelt apologies to anyone who has suffered harm.”
Review recommendations
JEDI Consultancy assessed whether the recommendations from the previous investigation by Tell Jane in 2021, which led to a member being expelled for sexual harassment, had been successfully implemented.
It found that while most recommendations appeared to have been implemented, some required further reviewing and updating.
Among the report’s key recommendations for areas that needed further reviewing were the CIoF’s complaints and disciplinary regulations.
It recommended that the institute needs to review how it ensures that the person conducting an investigation into a complaint has no involvement or decision-making ability in any disciplinary process, and that the CEO does not act as the investigating officer and instead delegates this it either a trained person within the CIoF or an external HR consultancy.
The JEDI report also recommended that the institute should extend its mental health support to complainants beyond offering personalised mental health support, such as a buddy or employee representative.
CIoF chair: ‘We failed in a number of ways’
Nadine Campbell, chair of the CIoF, said in a statement: “We wholly acknowledge that we failed in a number of ways.
“In particular, the CIoF apologises for not believing or supporting individuals who told us that they had been subjected to sexual harassment/assault.
“We did not demonstrate adequate concern or provide sufficient support for those individuals who made the very difficult decision to disclose to us what they had gone through.
“Further, errors made by the CIoF has meant they have had to endure both an investigation by a HR consultancy in 2021 and this Independent Review by JEDI Consultancy. This lengthy process of investigation has placed a heavy burden upon them.
“We failed in not putting the necessary safeguarding and governance policies and procedures in place so we can fully protect and support people.”
Representing survivors
When asked by Civil Society whether she was confident that the survivors of sexual harassment and assault had been genuinely represented by the latest review, current CIoF chief executive Docherty said: “I can’t speak on behalf of individuals.
“What I can say is that because this investigation had a much wider remit, the investigators were able to speak to a much broader range of people who had been involved in the institute over the time periods.
“We also put out an open call for anybody that wished to speak to the reviewers that they could.
“We don’t know who actually did speak to them, but the opportunity was there for people to have their voices heard and to share their experiences, so I hope that people feel that they did have that opportunity.”
‘This isn’t the end of a journey’
Speaking to Civil Society, Docherty added: “This [review] isn’t the end of a journey. This is just the start of the next phase.
“We are deeply sorry for women who experienced sexual harassment or assault, and what they experienced when they tried to raise complaints with us, and we failed to support them.
“And we’re also truly sorry for the length of time that it’s taken to get to this point, but very grateful to them as well, because they have been drivers for change, and we can’t change the past, but we can change the present and change the future.
“So, this isn’t about putting things behind us. This is about making sure that safeguarding remains absolutely top of our priorities.”
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