SISHA Announces Investigation Results

Tuesday, 24 December 2013

FOR RELEASE: 5 December 2013

SISHA ANNOUNCES INVESTIGATION RESULTS

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – The Board of SISHA announced today the results of its investigation into allegations that had been made against former Executive Director Mr Steven Morrish by a former intern at SISHA. These allegations concerned the legitimacy of payments and benefits received by Mr Morrish, the funding and progress of key programs, and the accounting methodology used by SISHA.  This investigation was supported by a comprehensive independent review conducted by professional services firm KPMG Cambodia Limited.

Mr Morrish strongly rejected allegations of wrongdoing, but stood down as Executive Director of SISHA in August due to a campaign of personal attacks against him that was having a negative impact on SISHA, and on him personally.

Key findings from the investigation are that:

• There has been no theft or misappropriation of funds by Mr Morrish. There were no inappropriate payments to relatives of Mr Morrish.
• In early 2012, following consultations with SISHA’s auditor, the Board instructed Mr Morrish to reduce the liability for his deferred salary (which had accumulated over a period of four years) as soon as SISHA’s financial position allowed. Payments for this deferred salary were made when it was believed there was sufficient inflow of unrestricted funds to clear this liability.
• The CamKids and Hope Scholarship programs are on track and delivering the level of service that was originally envisaged.
• Some funds earmarked for these programs were used to support core operations of SISHA via intra-program loans. This redirection of funds was appropriately accounted for in the SISHA accounts and the Board believes that sufficient funds are available to cover these intra-program liabilities as they fall due.
• Limited progress was made on a proposed Women’s Crisis Centre, and funding earmarked for this Centre was used for operational expenses within SISHA. While disappointed that Centre did not proceed as planned, the Board believes that other organisations are better placed to provide services such as this and will not be proceeding with the Centre.

While SISHA does not generally comment on individual donors, the support of Mrs Gina Rinehart for the above programs is well known. Mrs Rinehart has confirmed that she is supportive of the work that SISHA undertakes and reaffirms her continuing support for the Hope Scholarship Program.

Chairman of the Board of SISHA, Mr Stephen Higgins welcomed the findings of the review.

“It was important to have the matter investigated fully and independently,” Mr Higgins said.

This period has been a catalyst for the Board to reflect on what role SISHA should play in the future. In recent years, SISHA had grown too big, too quickly and will refocus on the core operations here in Cambodia.  The growth was done with the best of intentions – a desire to help more victims and make an even more meaningful contribution to the development of the Cambodian justice system and SISHA’s work to empower women and communities to prevent crime.

SISHA remains committed to these goals and effective immediately it will:

• Focus on three key issues: sexual assault, human trafficking and orphanage abuse.
• Have two strategic areas of focus:
  • Operations and Victim Support – investigations; emergency aftercare; and legal aid.
  • Prevention and Capacity Building – police training; community empowerment through courses and scholarships; partnership with government and non-government sectors and advocacy to strengthen systems.
• Not proceed with the establishment of a Women’s Crisis Centre. SISHA’s strongest capabilities are in emergency aftercare for victims, while long-term aftercare is best managed by other agencies that specialise in this area. SISHA remains committed to providing legal advice and support to victims.
• Focus its work in Cambodia. However, it will continue to contribute to anti-human trafficking inquiries that extend over Cambodia’s borders in cooperation with the police and other agencies. SISHA’s office in Thailand has been closed.

SISHA has a proud history of delivering results in Cambodia. SISHA has assisted more than 860 victims, initiated 147 prosecutions and delivered practical training for 540 police over the past seven years.

Steve Morrish founded SISHA and has been integral in delivering these results. The Board is pleased that the investigation has cleared him of misconduct that had been alleged and that SISHA can once again focus on its core operations.

SISHA is committed to making an ongoing contribution to protect and support victims, ensure offenders are prosecuted and to strengthen the local justice system, as well as victim, social and legal support services.