Charity leaders welcome CIoF pledge to improve sexual abuse complaints handling

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s plans to improve its response to sexual abuse and harassment complaints have been broadly welcomed by charity sector leaders.

The sector body had been criticised in recent weeks after allegations emerged that it failed to deal effectively and swiftly with sexual misconduct complaints. This included concerns raised by senior figures, including committee chairs, within the CIoF.

But in a statement released on March 26, the CIoF set out its next steps for improving complaints handling. It also announced that it had accepted 18 recommendations made in an independent learning review.

This fresh statement and pledge to take action has been broadly welcomed on social media by voluntary sector leaders.

Sufina Ahmad, director of grantmaking foundation John Ellerman Foundation and CIoF fellow, said she was “relieved to see a robust response” from the CIoF adding that “I hope that trust and confidence will be restored for those that have been failed”.

Relieved to see a robust response from @CIOFtweets - much to support inc the three principles of doing no harm first; believing all those who come forward; and listening, learning and working to share progress openly, honestly and transparently /1 (of 4) https://t.co/58nII8KUHQ
— Sufina Ahmad (@SufinaAhmad) March 26, 2021

Another to welcome CioF’s pledge to improve its complaints handling is Children’s HospiceSW director of fundraising Paul Courtney.

This is better. This is humble. This is honest. This admits there is work to do.

This gives me hope. https://t.co/gA4MEqmDRE
— Paul Courtney (@paulkairos) March 26, 2021

Meanwhile, Oxfam GB’s deputy chair Angela Cluff said she was pleased to see the CIoF “on the right road”.

Action Aid director of fundraising Ed Tait said the CIoF had delivered “a serious response to a serious issue”.

Last week the CIoF announced that its chief executive Peter Lewis is stepping down from the role. His resignation was announced after the organisation’s chair Claire Rowning admitted that the body needed a “seismic shift” in its culture following criticism of its complaints handling.