SAVE THE CHILDREN STATEMENT ON CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR AID WORKERS

 

In response to the announcement that DFID is providing funding for a new global criminal records background check for aid workers led by INTERPOL, a Save the Children spokesperson says:

"Save the Children has been collaborating with INTERPOL for a number of years to try and end the exploitation of children in the aid sector. We are delighted that this project is now going ahead and hugely grateful for DFID’s leadership in making it happen.

"This landmark initiative will make a real and tangible difference to the lives of vulnerable children by boosting our collective capacity to root out perpetrators of abuse. Save the Children will sit on the Advisory Board of the project alongside DFID, INTERPOL and ACRO Criminal Records Office, supporting the practical implementation of project plans and the co-ordination of NGOs participating in the project."

 

Notes to Editors:

• This new project will help put a stop to perpetrators of abuse working in the aid sector by strengthening global criminal records checks and improving information sharing between law-enforcement agencies.
• Current options for checking the criminal background of employees are provided through commercial suppliers. This makes the process complex and unwieldy, and makes it difficult for organisations like Save the Children to be assured of the quality of the information provided.
• The INTERPOL system will ensure that information provided will be the very best available in country.

Media@savethechildren.org.uk 

+44 7831 650409