A DAMNING report sparked by the Oxfam scandal has found 'horrifying' evidence of sex abuse and exploitation in the aid sector.

The Oxford-based charity, which has its headquarters in Cowley, said a new report published by MPs today made for 'incredibly painful reading', and refreshed its pledge to eradicate wrongdoing in its organisation.

Whistleblower Helen Evans, who was the charity's global head of safeguarding between 2012 and 2015, has now called for urgent action.

The Labour county councillor for Oxford's Iffley ward told the BBC today: "We shouldn't be putting things in the 'too difficult box'.

"This is about protecting some of the most vulnerable individuals in the world from sexual exploitation and abuse, and we have to do everything we possibly can.

"Public reaction has shown quite how much they want us to do that too."

She said the task ahead was 'difficult but doable'. 

It came after a scandal earlier this year in which it was said Oxfam said workers had used prostitutes while in Haiti, in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake there in 2010, and had tried to cover this up. 

Today a report was published by the government's International Development Committee, condemning the actions of Oxfam and 'similar cases in other international and multilateral aid organisations'.

An extract from the report summary states: "It is particularly horrifying to find evidence of personnel from the aid and security sectors perpetrating these abuses rather than combating them.

"Reports have regularly shown this kind of sexual exploitation and abuse being perpetrated across different countries, organisations and institutions, principally in humanitarian crises. 

"The aid sector, collectively, has been aware of sexual exploitation and abuse by its own personnel for years, but the attention that it has given to the problem has not matched the challenge.

"The ease with which individuals known to be predatory and potentially dangerous have been able to move around the aid sector undetected is cause for deep concern and alarm. 

"We heard about ‘boys’ club’ cultures within aid organisations, in which sexual harassment and abuse of staff can thrive unchallenged."

The report went on to highlight 'abject failure' of charities to deal with long-held concerns and accused them of 'complacency verging on complicity'.

Last week Oxfam announced it is training an additional 119 staff to investigate safeguarding incidents around the world.

It also said it had more than tripled its funding for safeguarding to more than £1.75m, and established an Independent Commission to review its culture and practices. 

The Independent Commission is currently investigating and will publish its findings and recommendations by May 2019.