red cross shields sexual predator, gives glowing reference for job at save the children
(yet ANOTHER reason NEVER to contribute to the american red cross)
Red Cross Endorsed Top Official Despite Sexual Misconduct Claims, ProPublica Reports
The American Red Cross forced a senior official, Gerald Anderson, to resign amid sexual harassment and assault allegations, but it still gave him a positive review when asked by another aid organization interested in hiring him.
Andrew Harnik/AP
In a new report, ProPublica has revealed that the American Red Cross forced a senior official to resign amid sexual harassment and assault allegations but still gave him a positive review when asked by another aid organization interested in hiring him. That man, Gerald Anderson, was hired in 2013 by Save The Children, after representatives there say they received glowing references. Anderson denies any sexual misconduct. Anderson led the Red Cross response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. When talking with Save The Children, though, his former organization omitted an important part of Anderson's career there: He had been forced out in 2012 because his actions were in "direct violation of Red Cross policies and principles," according to a statement made by the Red Cross.
At that time, a young subordinate had reported to the Red Cross that Anderson had allegedly sexually harassed her repeatedly through email and text messages. Another young woman reported at the same time that Anderson had allegedly sexually assaulted her several years before. The Red Cross has not commented specifically on either accusation.
ProPublica reporters Justin Elliott and Ariana Tobin uncovered these allegations about Anderson when the two women who came forward approached Elliott with their stories. Elliott has done other extensive reporting on the Red Cross, much of which he conducted in partnership with NPR.
The Red Cross said it has since apologized for recommending Anderson to Save The Children. But the interaction between the two aid organizations raises the question of what responsibility companies have in disclosing accusations of sexual misconduct, confirmed or otherwise.
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https://www.npr.org/2018/01/25/580333231/red-cross-endorsed-top-official-despite-sexual-misconduct-claims-propublica-repo