A recent CNN report brought to light that relief isn’t the only thing that some humanitarian aid workers and U.N. peacekeepers are bringing: “children as young as 6 have been forced to have sex with aid workers and peacekeepers in return for food or money”. If that doesn’t make your stomach turn.

After interviewing children, reports surfaced of cases of rape, prostitution, pornography and sex trafficking. The victims were afraid to come forward because they feared they would lose aid or receive punishment. Children who have been sexually assaulted are usually frightened to come forward about their abuse because:

1)      They think no one will believe their story—the abuser often uses this tactic

2)      They are threatened by their abuser

3)      They are bribed into not telling

4)      They are convinced they have done something wrong and will be punished

5)      They blame themselves

6)      They are dependent on their abuser either emotionally and/or financially

7)      They fear they will be held responsible for problems that arise after they tell

8)      They don’t know who they can tell about their abuse*

 

* Taken from “Support for Survivors: Counselor Advocate Training Manual”, New Britain Sexual Assault Crisis Service, 2007 

 

Save the Children UK did the research on the sexual assault claims, which were centered on the Ivory Coast (the same area the U.N. launched an investigation last year), but stated that “the perpetrators of sexual abuse of children could be found in every type of humanitarian organization at all levels”. This is nothing new. According to the CNN article, in 2003, 6 U.N. Nepalese soldiers were jailed after accusations of sexual assault in the DRC; a year later, abuse charges involving U.N. peacekeepers also occurred in Burundi and Sudan. Save the Children is now calling for a global watchdog.

 

While the majority of peacekeeping troops and aid workers is not involved, and is doing amazing work in countries that desperately need the aid, it’s sickening to know that there are some who are abusing their power to exploit these children.

 

~世界の革命