The Chartered Institute of Fundraising today issued a “sincere apology” for its failure to protect and support people in its community, after an independent review concluded it had failed in its responses to past allegations of sexual harassment and assault. 

The review by Jedi Consultancy, which was announced in August 2021 and published today, concluded it was “more likely than not that CIoF did know that sexual harassment/assault was an issue at CIoF (as well as in the wider sector) at material times” and had failed in its responses. 

It also said that new evidence led it to conclude that the former chief executive of the CIoF, Peter Lewis, had “more likely than not” been told about a claim of sexual harassment or assault at the CIoF’s annual convention in 2014 and failed to act. 

In a statement announcing the publication of the report, Nadine Campbell, chair of the CIoF, said: “We are deeply sorry to those who experienced sexual harassment and 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.” 

Campbell said the CIOF “wholly acknowledged” that it had failed in a number of ways.

She said: “In particular, the CIOF apologises for not believing or supporting individuals who told us that they had been subjected to sexual harassment or 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 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.” 

Campbell said the CIoF failed to put the necessary safeguarding and governance policies in place so it was able to fully protect and support people who made disclosures of sexual harassment or assault. 

She said the organisation had also failed to provide the right checks and balances to ensure external monitoring of safeguarding, and did not move fast enough in tackling fundamental cultural and organisational failings. 

“Our response to those people who came to us for support has been regrettably poor and we are deeply sorry we let them down,” Campbell said. 

“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.” 

She said the CIoF was “fully focused” on learning from its mistakes and has “put much thought and effort into making safeguarding a crucial priority” at the membership body. 

This included the development of an action plan containing detailed measures to protect and support people through culture change, safeguarding and governance.

The measures include the introduction of an anonymous reporting tool where people can confidentially record and report concerns, and the appointment of a safeguarding trustee with oversight of the CIoF’s complaints process and safeguarding work. 

The CIoF also appointed a Professional Conduct Committee at the beginning of this year with seven independent members who will scrutinise policies and procedures, and advise its trustee board on best practice.

In the report, Jedi Consultancy said the CIoF was making “good progress” with the plan, with 23 action points fully implemented.

It added that since 2021 the membership body had taken “significant steps in implementing sexual harassment prevention strategies”, as well as the development of additional online training around preventing harassment, discrimination and bullying on all levels. 

Campbell said: “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.”

A further joint apology issued by Campbell and Katie Docherty, chief executive of the CIoF, said: “This review has been a long time coming, and we want to apologise to everyone who has been impacted by the length of time it has taken for this report to be finalised. We are truly sorry for the ongoing distress and hurt this has caused.” 

They said the review had been “an extensive and difficult process, but it was vital that it was done thoroughly to ensure that the CIoF learns from our mistakes.” 

Campbell and Docherty said: “Whilst we cannot change what has happened in the past, we can change what happens now, and in the future – and we want our community, members, staff and volunteers to know that we are doing all we can to make sure that this does not happen again. 

“To those who were affected by this; we want you to know that your actions in coming forward have driven our work to ensuring a better and safer future for the fundraising community.”