Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in international development “are still seeing underreporting” in safeguarding reports, according to a new survey.
In a blog post published yesterday, Bond’s safeguarding adviser Graham Thursby discussed the progress made in safeguarding practices in international development, persistent challenges and how safeguarding continues to evolve.
Using Bond’s 2024 Safeguarding Survey data, which was completed by 35 members between the end of July and early September, Thursby wrote that 57% of respondents “suggested underreporting while only 17% said they’re receiving an accurate number of reports”.
However, he added that the majority of respondents reported progress towards better safeguarding practice in their organisation in the last year.
Increase in safeguarding reports
There has been a rise in the number of safeguarding reports since 2018, which “reflects positive progress, as improved processes and survivor empowerment signal a shift towards an embedded culture of safety and zero tolerance for abuse within the sector”, Thursby wrote.
Just over a third of respondents to Bond’s survey stated that their reported incidents had increased, compared with 32.5% last year.
Some 57% reported that the number of incidents they had remained the same (2023: 57.5%) and 9% said their reported incidents had fallen (2023: 7.5%).
However, Thursby said that “57% of respondents suggested underreporting and only 17% stated that they’re receiving an accurate number of reports”.
This can be due to local concerns that if an organisation reports an incident, operations might be shut down if governments deem them to be unsafe, among other things.
“Further endorsement of common approaches to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in local contexts will go a long way in building an understanding that reports should be seen as a culture of safety,” Thursby added.
Better safeguarding practices
Some 91% of respondents said they have seen progress towards better safeguarding practice in their organisation in the last year.
This includes improving policy and processes, progress in embedding a safeguarding culture, and focusing on building country programme capacity and systems for safeguarding.
Thursby said that “more action is required to encourage peer support”, adding: “NGOs need to feel confident to come forward and share their good practice, as well as the challenges they have uncovered, that will support others in the sector.
“The international development sector shouldn’t be a competitive environment, we need to support one another in the goals we set out to achieve.”
‘Data received is encouraging’
Thursby told Civil Society that this year’s survey received fewer responses than in previous years – 2023: 40 respondents; 2022: 51; and 2021: 144.
He said: “Safeguarding professionals are increasingly stretched, as seen in fewer responses to this year’s survey.
“Despite this, the data received is encouraging: UK NGOs are receiving support from organisations such as Bond, Resource and Support Hub, InterAction, SIDA, Kaya and CHS that is leading to real improvements in safeguarding processes.
“Incident reporting is rising or steady, showing that communities have trust in NGOs.
“While safeguarding practices are improving, continued investment is essential. Grants must ringfence funds to allow organisations to increase safeguarding resource and ensure that keeping people safe remains a core priority, not just a trend when there is media attention surrounding it.”
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