We set up the Independent Special Commission (ISC) to provide an expert and impartial assessment of past safeguarding and compliance failures and to make recommendations for strengthening our policies and procedures. It was appointed by our International Senate in October 2021. Further information about its terms of reference is available on its website. The ISC has been independent in its work, including the planning, investigations, and decisions about who to interview and the content of its recommendations.
We set up the ISC as part of our Safeguarding Action Plan to provide an expert and impartial assessment of past safeguarding and compliance failures and to make recommendations for strengthening our policies and procedures. SOS Children’s Villages does not tolerate abuse or violence against children and adults participating in our programmes or against the people who work for our organization. It deeply saddens us that there have been instances where we have failed to keep people safe. Two years ago, we publicly apologized for the harm caused to those affected by past abuse, and our leaders have reiterated that apology. We continue to urge anyone with knowledge of wrongdoing anywhere in the SOS Children’s Villages federation to come forward. We will listen to and act on all allegations and remain focused on supporting the victims/survivors.