CIOF issues apology as independent review concludes it failed in responses to past allegations of sexual harassment or assault
Melanie May | 5 September 2024 | News
The Chartered Institute of Fundraising has issued an apology after an independent review into how it dealt with past allegations of sexual harassment or assault found that it more likely than not knew that this was an issue both at the CIOF and in the wider sector, and failed in its responses.
The independent review into past processes and procedures in relation to allegations of sexual harassment/assault was carried out by JEDI Consultancy, with the findings released today (5 September). The review centred around an allegation of sexual harassment/assault at the 2014 Fundraising Convention, and other historical allegations.
2014 allegation – and new evidence
The 2014 allegation was made by an anonymous attendee, who said they had reported the incident at the time to the former CIOF CEO Peter Lewis – something that had been denied.
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However, during the independent review, new evidence supporting the anonymous attendee’s account came to light – namely a witness statement, and a CIOF email that had not been formerly disclosed.
Independent review findings
As a result of this new evidence, alongside other documentary and witness evidence, the review found that the events described by the anonymous attendee are more likely than not to have occurred, making it more likely than not that Lewis did know of the allegations at the time.
It also found that the former CEO and/or the CIOF did know or should have known about allegations of sexual harassment/assault within the CIOF from late 2017 onwards, and that while it took certain actions from 2018 onwards, they weren’t taken reasonably promptly.
It finds too that the CIOF more likely than not did know that sexual harassment/assault was an issue both at the CIOF and in the wider sector, and failed in its responses.
CIOF response in full
The CIOF has fully accepted the findings and recommendations of the Review which can be found in the published Summary of Findings.
Nadine Campbell, Chair of the CIOF said:
“We are deeply sorry to those who experienced sexual harassment/assault, for failing in our responses to past incidents of such behaviour and for the subsequent distress and trauma this has caused those individuals.
“We fully recognise and accept that the CIOF has made mistakes which have resulted in our failure to protect and support people in our community and has unnecessarily prolonged the pain they have had to endure.
“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. We also did not have the right checks and balances to ensure external monitoring of safeguarding. We did not prioritise and we did not move fast enough in tackling fundamental cultural and organisational failings.
“In 2021, the CIOF asked the HR consultancy undertaking an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by a member to extend it to include a connected complaint against the CIOF’s then CEO that he had not acted on a report of sexual harassment made in 2014 at that year’s Convention.
“On the basis of the evidence that was available to the HR consultancy, the first stage of their investigation subsequently concluded that, on the balance of probabilities, a complaint of sexual harassment was not reported to the CIOF’s then CEO at the 2014 Convention.
“The CIOF’s wider scope for the Independent Review enabled JEDI Consultancy to speak to a broader range of people involved with the Institute of Fundraising between 2012-2018 to learn more about the culture at the time and this resulted in a key eyewitness being interviewed. Also, JEDI Consultancy had access to a key email which ought to have been provided by the CIOF to the investigation conducted by the HR consultancy in 2021 but was not identified until after the investigation had concluded. The CIOF is very sorry for that failing and has now improved its systems to ensure this would not happen again.
“The Independent Review by JEDI Consultancy now finds that: ‘….the events as described by the anonymous attendee of the 2014 Convention, namely that she had told the former Chief Executive Officer about allegations of sexual harassment/assault at the relevant time, are more likely than not to have occurred. We accept the evidence of the anonymous attendee.’
“Our response to those people who came to us for support has been regrettably poor and we are deeply sorry we let them down. We are immensely grateful to them for raising their concerns and contributing to this Independent Review and for their patience in enduring such a lengthy process.
“We are fully focused on learning from the mistakes we have made. We have put much thought and effort into making safeguarding a crucial priority at the CIOF. Following the Learning Review conducted by the HR consultancy in 2020/2021, the CIOF developed an Action Plan with detailed measures to protect and support people through culture change, safeguarding and governance.
“These vital measures include the introduction of an anonymous reporting tool, Talk to Spot, where people can confidentially and anonymously record and report concerns.
“There have also been the appointments of a Safeguarding Trustee with oversight of the complaints process and safeguarding work and a Head of Professional Conduct who is a registered social worker to support those who raise concerns, an updated Code of Conduct to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct in every professional setting, and the formation of a Professional Conduct Committee with seven independent members to scrutinise policies and procedures, and advise the CIOF’s Board of Trustees on best practice.
“The Independent Review conducted by JEDI Consultancy has found that each of the measures in the CIOF’s 23-point Action Plan on safeguarding has now been put in place. The Independent Review has made further recommendations for continued improvement, including simplifying the CIOF’s complaints processes, clarifying how anonymous and informal complaints will be addressed and ensuring such processes are reviewed on a regular basis. We will take forward these recommendations with urgency, guided by the Professional Conduct Committee.
“Our approach to safeguarding is based upon three key principles.
“The first is ‘Do no harm first. The CIOF and the fundraising profession has to be a place where everyone is safe.’
“Second, ‘Believe all those who come forward. Make it safe, simple and supportive if people disclose. Make that process a fair and balanced one.’
“Finally, ‘Listen, learn and work to share progress openly, honestly and transparently. We know that this is vital to rebuild trust and also to create systemic change.’
“We cannot guarantee we will get everything right, but we are wholly committed to ensuring that our community, be that staff, volunteers, members or attendees at events and training are safe and supported and that we have the most rigorous safeguarding processes in place. We will continue to improve, learn and adapt.”
Raggi Kotak, Director of JEDI Consultancy, said:
“We wish to thank those who had the courage to bring these painful issues to the fore. We recognise that this has come at huge personal cost.
“The CIOF has an important role in creating robust standards of safety and behaviour for the fundraising sector. We encourage them to continue to take bold and active steps forward, to ensure that issues of oppression are completely eradicated.”
Former CEO response
In response to the findings of the independent review, CIOF former CEO Peter Lewis said:
“I do not accept the findings in the review.
“I have been clear throughout that no complaint or disclosure was ever made to me that I did not act on promptly.
“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 3 years.
“We did not get everything right, and once again, I offer my heartfelt apologies to anyone who has suffered harm.”
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About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.