Peacekeepers Cross the Line with Sexual Abuse
A report released Tuesday reveals evidence that peacekeepers have sexually abused children in war torn areas.
By Pamela Mortimer
A report released on Tuesday reveals evidence that international aid workers and peacekeepers have been sexually abusing children located in war zones and other disaster areas.
The report, released by Save the Children UK, has made the claim that more than half the children interviewed were aware of cases of "coerced sex and improper sexual touching" and in many instances children knew of at least ten incidents involving aid workers or peacekeepers. Some of the children were as young as six years old at the time of abuse.
The study was conducted last year by Save the Children UK and is based on focus groups, research and confidential interviews gathered in three locales with a significant international aid presence. These areas include: Haiti, southern Sudan, and the Ivory Coast. The group was unable to produce comprehensive statistics regarding the extent of the abuse but did gather enough pertinent information to prove that the problem is severe.
"The report shows sexual abuse has been widely underreported because children are afraid to come forward," said Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of Save the Children UK. "A tiny proportion of peacekeepers and aid workers are abusing the children they were sent to protect. It ranges from sex for food to coerced sex. It's despicable."
The report details various types of abuse allegedly committed by the peacekeepers and aid workers, including improper touching and kissing, coerced sex, trading food for sex, forced prostitution, and the use of children for pornographic purposes
The researchers interviewed 129 girls and 121 boys between the ages of 10 and 17, and also spoke with a number of adults regarding the alleged abuse. As a result of the interviews, the researchers revealed that an "overwhelming" majority of the interviewees would never report a case of abuse, nor had they heard of a case being reported.
The report supposes people are afraid to step forward due to the threat of retaliation and the stigma commonly attached to sexual abuse.
Save the Children spokesman Dominic Nutt said U.N. peacekeepers are often involved in sexual abuse cases because they maintain a significant presence throughout the world. On the other hand, Nutt also pointed out that the United Nations has made strides to improve its reporting and investigative procedures regarding sexual abuse.
"We're not singling out the U.N.," he said. "In some ways they do a good job. It's all peacekeepers and all aid workers, including Save the Children." The report pointed the finger at several Save the Children workers who were fired for having sex with 17-year-old girls, an act that violates agency guidelines.
According to U.N. officials in New York, the report confirms efforts to combat sexual abuse are failing to remove the problem.
"The report is deeply disturbing," said Nick Birnback, spokesman for the U.N. Peacekeeping Department. "We in U.N. peacekeeping over the past few years have put a number of measures in place to address this difficult and painful issue. However, obviously, more remains to be done. We are determined to ensure that the secretary-general's policy of zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers is fully implemented on the ground."
A report released on Tuesday reveals evidence that international aid workers and peacekeepers have been sexually abusing children located in war zones and other disaster areas.
The report, released by Save the Children UK, has made the claim that more than half the children interviewed were aware of cases of "coerced sex and improper sexual touching" and in many instances children knew of at least ten incidents involving aid workers or peacekeepers. Some of the children were as young as six years old at the time of abuse.
The study was conducted last year by Save the Children UK and is based on focus groups, research and confidential interviews gathered in three locales with a significant international aid presence. These areas include: Haiti, southern Sudan, and the Ivory Coast. The group was unable to produce comprehensive statistics regarding the extent of the abuse but did gather enough pertinent information to prove that the problem is severe.
"The report shows sexual abuse has been widely underreported because children are afraid to come forward," said Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of Save the Children UK. "A tiny proportion of peacekeepers and aid workers are abusing the children they were sent to protect. It ranges from sex for food to coerced sex. It's despicable."
The report details various types of abuse allegedly committed by the peacekeepers and aid workers, including improper touching and kissing, coerced sex, trading food for sex, forced prostitution, and the use of children for pornographic purposes
The researchers interviewed 129 girls and 121 boys between the ages of 10 and 17, and also spoke with a number of adults regarding the alleged abuse. As a result of the interviews, the researchers revealed that an "overwhelming" majority of the interviewees would never report a case of abuse, nor had they heard of a case being reported.
The report supposes people are afraid to step forward due to the threat of retaliation and the stigma commonly attached to sexual abuse.
Save the Children spokesman Dominic Nutt said U.N. peacekeepers are often involved in sexual abuse cases because they maintain a significant presence throughout the world. On the other hand, Nutt also pointed out that the United Nations has made strides to improve its reporting and investigative procedures regarding sexual abuse.
"We're not singling out the U.N.," he said. "In some ways they do a good job. It's all peacekeepers and all aid workers, including Save the Children." The report pointed the finger at several Save the Children workers who were fired for having sex with 17-year-old girls, an act that violates agency guidelines.
According to U.N. officials in New York, the report confirms efforts to combat sexual abuse are failing to remove the problem.
"The report is deeply disturbing," said Nick Birnback, spokesman for the U.N. Peacekeeping Department. "We in U.N. peacekeeping over the past few years have put a number of measures in place to address this difficult and painful issue. However, obviously, more remains to be done. We are determined to ensure that the secretary-general's policy of zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers is fully implemented on the ground."
Post Comment | View Comments