United Nations: 31 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse have been reported within the system against the UN peacemakers and civilians working for the UN agencies within the system says UN reports.
UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric released the figures this Friday saying so far 31 cases of abuse have been reported during the three-month period from July through September. Adding that not all of the allegations made so far have been verified and that some are in the preliminary assessment phase.
Out of the 31 allegations reported, fifteen of the allegations are against civilians working for the U.N. refugee agency, twelve are against the peacekeepers of the department.
Of these ten allegations are categorized as sexual abuse, 19 as sexual exploitation and two are of an unknown nature, said Dujarric.
Adding that around twelve of these allegations occurred in 2017, two in 2016, six in 2015 or before. Eleven of these allegations dates are not known. Seventy two per cent women and nineteen per cent girls are among the victims with thirty eight alleged male perpetrators associated with these allegations.
He also said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “is obviously disappointed and saddened that these actions continue” against women in the system.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced new measures will be taken in March to tackle the issue of increasing sexual abuse and exploitation by U.N. peacekeepers and staff along with calling attention to the victims and ban of alcohol and fraternization for its troops.
The UN released figures of 2016 which stated 80 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against U.N. peacekeepers and 65 allegations were against U.N. civilian staff.