Four Oxfam aid workers were fired and three resigned following an internal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct in Haiti, according to a report published by the charity.
Oxfam's final internal investigation report from 2011 into allegations of sexual misconduct and other unacceptable behaviour during Oxfam's humanitarian response to the Haiti earthquake of 2010 was published by the charity after details were leaked to The Times.
The investigation was carried out after allegations against aid workers that included using prostitutes on charity property, sexual exploitation of employees, fraud, negligence and nepotism.
The report says that none of the initial allegations of fraud, nepotism or use of under-aged prostitutes was substantiated during the investigation, but also says: "It cannot be ruled out that any of the prostitutes were under-aged."
The report reveals that when news of the investigation emerged internally, three of the suspects engaged in behaviour described as "physically threatening and intimidating" against one of the witnesses.
The report names country director (CD) Roland Van Hauwermeiren, who last week denied using prostitutes in Haiti. However, according to the report, when he was interviewed by the investigations team, he "use of prostitutes" in OGB premises and "negligence and failure to safeguard employees – in particular female employees".
The report states: "During the interview the CD admitted to using prostitutes in his OGB (Oxfam GB) residence. On being briefed on the wider allegations, he took full responsibility and offered to resign. After further discussion with the (x) and the (y) it was agreed that OGB might accept his resignation, and allow him a phased and dignified exit, provided that he would fully cooperate with the rest of the investigation."
The proposal was agreed "as there were potentially serious implications for the programme, affiliate relationships and the rest of the investigation if he were to be dismissed on those charges," the report continues. In accepting his resignation, senior staff "also took into consideration the significant contribution he had made" during his time with the charity, and a month's notice was agreed.
The names of other aid workers caught up in the scandal were redacted from the report, although they are included in a full version shared with the Haitian Ambassador in London. A copy was also due to be given to the Haitian government in a meeting this morning, Monday.
Oxfam said today: "We are making this exceptional publication because we want to be as transparent as possible about the decisions we made during this particular investigation and in recognition of the breach of trust that has been caused. We are also meeting with the Government of Haiti to apologise for our mistakes and discuss what more we can do, including for the women affected by these events.
"We hope this also contributes to rebuilding trust with those who support our work. However difficult it is to meet the demands of transparency, and however hard it is to confront mistakes of the past, we believe that ultimately, this will help us take meaningful action and become more effective in our mission to tackle poverty and help people hit by disaster."
Oxfam said it had informed the relevant national authorities of the names of the seven men involved in sexual misconduct.
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