1. West Africa Scandal 2002 Sexual Violence/exploitation study by UNHCR and SCUK Uncovered abuse by UN, INGOs and UN peacekeepers Began a series of resolutions and changes within agencies (UN, DPKO, INGOs) to try and combat SEA

2. UN Secretary General’s Bulletin on SEA SEA violate internationally recognised legal norms The following behaviour is not tolerated: –SEA grounds disciplinary measures, including dismissal –Sexual activity with children (<18) strictly prohibited; mistaken belief in age not a defence –Exchange of goods for sex is prohibited –Sexual relations between staff and beneficiaries strongly discouraged –Any suspicions (irrespective of the agency, UN or not) must be reported –UN staff and managers are required to maintain an environment that discourages SEA

3. Reporting suspicions of SEA – what are the barriers for staff reporting staff? Fear of being revealed as the reporting party Not wanting to cause problems among team Fear for own job security Uncertainty of facts Implicit threats made by the subject of the suspicion Victim doesn’t want the abuse reported – staff member wants to protect them General culture doesn’t inspire the staff member to report (they don’t think it will be taken seriously)

4. Reporting suspicions of SEA – what are the barriers for victims reporting staff? No knowledge of how to report Threats made by abuser Intimidated by UN/INGO Fear of abuse becoming known to the wider community Fear of family no longer receiving humanitarian assistance if reported Lack of confidence in agency Does report, nothing done Does report, investigation mishandled

5. Measures taken by DPKO, UN and other agencies In 2004, the Secretary-General appointed a Special Adviser, to produce a framework for effective and long term action June 2005, the Secretary-General has initiated wide-ranging reforms covering standards of conduct; investigations; organizational, managerial and command responsibility; and individual disciplinary, financial and criminal accountability. DPKO established a task force for developing guidance and tools for peacekeeping operations to address sexual exploitation and abuse effectively

6. “Tools” for combating SEA In the field, conduct and discipline teams, headed by senior level experts, have been established in the eight largest peacekeeping missions To enforce those standards, missions in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, the DRC, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and Kosovo have established lists of premises and areas frequented by prostitutes which are out-of-bounds to all personnel. During 2004-2005, the UN's Office of Investigation and Oversight Services completed more than 220 investigations, resulting in the dismissal of several civilian staff and the repatriation of scores of military personnel.

7. “Tools” to combat SEA The 6 core principles and The Code of Personal Conduct for Blue Helmets (UN Ten Rules) “DPKO Administrative procedure on discipline for military and civilian police personnel in mission areas”, MPS/651, DPKO (New York, 2000). INGOs Code of Conduct: Save the Children “Child Protection Policy”, “Code of Conduct” and “Whistle blowing policy” African Union Mission in Sudan Code of Conduct

8. Case Study of SEA 1992-1993: international troops in Somalia: they resided in their base camp and were stationed at the airports; bridges; mostly they were around the towns (Kismayo; Mogadishu and Baidoa); seaports; governmental residences; former Somalia government military camps. Belet Weyne: many of the local businessmen wanted to start business with the Peace Keepers. Due to the prevailing pverty, many young girls also came to the base camp at night for transactional sex. Some were as young as 13 years old. People felt that because it was not “forced” there was nothing wrong with it. It was seen as survival due to poverty. What would prevent this behaviour in the current mission?

9. Perception of Peace Support Operations and staff Here are some real perceptions by local people at UN Missions: Antoinette: “The peacekeepers and NGOs came here to help us, but I don’t believe they do. It doesn’t help just to make love and give us a little money. Many of them go for small, girls, they shouldn’t do it.” (The Guardian, April 2002) Isha: “This sexual abuse has been going on since the UN peacekeepers came to this country as well as the NGOs, they came here to do their job and help us get peace, and instead they are going around with little girls. These people know what they are doing is wrong.” (The Guardian, April 2002)

10. Abuse still ongoing: still need to eradicate it Jan 2007: U.N. peacekeepers and civilian staff were raping and abusing children as young as 12 in southern Sudan. The Telegraph said the first signs of sexual exploitation of local youths in southern Sudan emerged within months of the peacekeepers' arrival in March 2005. The U.N. Children's Fund UNICEF drafted an internal report detailing the problem, it said. The newspaper said Sudan's government had gathered evidence including video footage of U.N. workers having sex with young girls. But the United Nations has yet to publicly acknowledge there was a problem or even investigate, the newspaper said.

11. Roles of AMISOM (AU Communiqué) To support dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia, working with all stakeholders To provide, as appropriate, protection to the TFIs and their key infrastructure, to enable them to carry out their functions To assist in the implementation of the National Security and Stabilisation Plan (NSSP) of Somalia, particularly the effective reestablishment and training of all inclusive Somali security forces, bearing in mind the programmes already being implemented by some of Somalia’s bilateral and multilateral partners

12. Roles of AMISOM (AU Communiqué) To provide, within the capabilities and as appropriate, technical and other support to the disarmament and stabilisation efforts To monitor, in all areas of deployment, the security situation To facilitate, as many as may be required and within capabilities, humanitarian operations, including the repatriation of refugees and the resettlement of IDPs To protect it’s personnel, installations and equipment, including the right of self-defence.

13. Carrying out these roles in the spirit of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law Expected behavior of AMISOM –Behavior (that is prohibited) including sexual exploitation, sexual activity with <18; transactional sex etc has been presented; it needs to be enforced –Role of managers –Role of all AMISOM peace support staff (all all levels) to report any suspicions –Needs of victim need to be considered: do they want you to report? Will it make it worse for them? Do they need help and support? (if so, let the organization provide it as opposed to you as an individual) –The AMISOM organization needs to clearly indicate to each of you what the reporting structure is –ANY reported suspicions needs to be investigated ina timely, thorough rights based way.