The Institute of Fundraising is committed to fighting sexual harassment and misconduct, the chair of the membership body, Amanda Bringans, said this morning, adding that the sector must "get its house in order" in regards to this issue.
"We are a profession that is predominantly made of women, but who are still not proportionally represented at a senior level," she said. "And too many of them have experienced sexual harassment."
Bringans made the comments this morning during her opening address at the start of the institute's three-day convention being held in central London this week.
The institute has recently updated its code of conduct inline with its efforts to promote best practice in all areas of the industry.
"We are a community of fundraisers that fights against injustice, champions the disadvantaged and gives a voice to the voiceless. But we have all heard too many stories of women in particular that have experienced sexual harassment within our profession.
"We must get our house in order. Every current and future fundraiser needs to be safe and feel safe in their working environments and I call on all of you to make that a reality in every organisation across the UK.
"I am personally committed to ensuring that the institute plays its role to the fullest possible extent to address this issue."
The statements come on the back of several articles around the topic of sexual harassment in fundraising.
Chartered status
Bringans also addressed efforts by the Institute of Fundraising to achieve chartered status.
"It is a move that has been a long time coming and will raise the profile of fundraisers and the fundraising profession," she said.
The IoF gained permission from the Privy Council to apply formally for chartered status in April this year.
In 2012, the IoF said it hoped to become a chartered body, but its plans were delayed after scandals affecting the fundraising sector in 2015.
By July 2018 the IoF said it was back in discussions about applying for chartered status and recently announced that it has been granted formal permission to apply for chartered status.
Members will vote on whether to endorse the move at the AGM later today.
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