Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure there are protections for workers from sexual harassment at charity galas and fundraising events.

Sexual harassment is completely unacceptable and has no place in the name of charity or charitable fundraising.

Charities have a duty to fundraise responsibly and in line with their values. Charity trustees must also consider the well-being and protection of staff, volunteers and beneficiaries – not just those they are there to help. The Charity Commission, the independent registrar and regulator of charities in England and Wales, is assessing and dealing with the allegations that have been raised regarding the Presidents Club Charitable Trust as a matter of urgency. It has said that it will deal robustly with any misconduct or mismanagement it finds, and will consider what further regulatory action may be required.

The Code of Fundraising Practice sets out the standards expected of all charitable fundraising organisations across the UK, requiring their fundraising to be “….open, honest and respectful”. The Code is regulated by the independent Fundraising Regulator, which has said it will consider any case where it appears an organisation has failed to meet these principles.

The Fundraising Regulator has assessed the allegations regarding the President’s Club charity dinner. The Fundraising Regulator has written to the charity setting out its regulatory role and seeking further information about the charity dinner and how the charity carries out its fundraising