Aid workers and peacekeepers 'abusing children'
Tuesday, 27 May 2008 10:07
The abuse is worse in emergency situations such as refugee camps
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A report has claimed that aid workers and peacekeeping troops are sexually abusing and exploiting the children they are meant to be protecting.
The report published by Save the Children UK today claims the problem is at its worse in emergency situations such as warzones and refugee camps.
The report suggests that while abuse may not be widespread within one particular aid organisation, every single one "has had or will have, or currently has, abusers in them".
Save the Children claims such people are responsible for some of the "most despicable abuse" against some of the world's most vulnerable children.
The abuse includes 'consensual sex' with 17-year-olds, exchanging food and favours for sex, trafficking, taking pornographic pictures and rape.
The charity undertook the research in the Ivory Coast, southern Sudan and Haiti and said the situation was the same worldwide.
It claims that better reporting mechanisms are needed to deal with the abuse and efforts should be made to strengthen worldwide child protection systems.
Heather Kerr, the charity's Ivory Coast country director, claims that little is currently being done to support the victims.
"It's a minority of people but they are using their power to sexually exploit children and children that don't have the voice to report about this.
"They are suffering sexual exploitation and abuse in silence."
In response to the findings the United Nations (UN) said that it welcomed the report and would study it in detail.