The U.K. shadow secretary of state for international development, Kate Osamor, called on aid organizations to think beyond “whistleblowing” policies and put in place measures that are “fit for purpose” in order to tackle sexual assault and exploitation within the sector.

Her comments come after a British newspaper revealed that the number of “safeguarding allegations” being handled by Oxfam, including cases of sexual harassment and exploitation, nearly quadrupled in recent years, with seven of its country directors accused of safeguarding breaches.

Oxfam says the rising number of reports it is handling are the result of improved safeguarding measures that make it easier for victims to report abuse. The charity has set up a “whistleblowing” helpline, as well as a dedicated safeguarding team to handle sexual assault and exploitation cases. However, in an interview with Devex, Oxfam Executive Director Winnie Byanyima also acknowledged that far more needs to be done.

Advocacy groups say that issues such as sexual harassment and assault, sexism, and homophobia are pervasive within the development sector but heavily underreported.

Read the full article by Sophie Edwards about sexual harassment from Devex International Development