Report: UN Troops Continue Sex Abuse
EmailUN peacekeepers and humanitarian staff are having sex with Liberian girls as young as 8-years-old in the very camps where their families have sought protection, according to a new report by Save the Children UK. Along with UN peacekeepers, the report says that camp officials, humanitarian staff, government employees and even teachers are involved in the sex trade with young Liberian girls.
Men often trade inexpensive items such as beans, bulgur wheat or even rides in their UN vehicles for sex with the young girls. The reports says the abuse is very widespread and that it occurs in every contingent in the country where peacekeepers are stationed. Some of these humanitarian workers are in Liberia to provide the local population with HIV and AIDS awareness training yet the report says that the very agencies involved in this training are also involved in the sex trade.
The report calls on the UN Secretariat to identify why the zero tolerance policy has not been enforced. "Men who use position of power to take advantage of vulnerable children must be reported and fired," said Jasmine Whitbread, UK Chief of Save the Children.
The UN issued a response to the report saying, "The United Nations in Liberia is committed to prevent, identify and sanction the abhorrent practice of sexual abuse and exploitation in full compliance with the Secretary-General’s Bulletin "Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse" and its policy of zero tolerance."
The UN said that since the beginning of the year, eight sexual abuse and exploitation cases involving UN personnel in Liberia have been reported to the internal UN office in charge of investigating all cases of serious misconduct. One of those cases has been substantiated, and the staff member was immediately suspended.
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This is horrible…
Posted by: Mj | May 9, 2006, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
this is extremely deplorable, disgusting, devastating and heart wrenching. more should be done to the people committing these crimes than just being fired, they should be arrested and jailed for the crimes committed. my heart goes out to the victims and their families. the u.n. is supposed to be in liberia to help with the aid of people and not violating babies.
Posted by: ej | May 9, 2006, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
wow great they “suspended” the pig worker…that will teach him
Posted by: Orin | May 9, 2006, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
I would take action immediately. go to that country and remove all these criminals from their post. THE UN SHOULD BE ASHAME OF THEIR LACK OF ORGANIZATION AND CONTROL OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE.
Posted by: paul | May 9, 2006, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
Absolutely disgusting! Why aren’t these people being prosecuted? This should not be tolerated and shame on those at the UN who look the other way.
Posted by: DC | May 9, 2006, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
I can’t believe what I just read- don’t those FREAKS know that what they are doing is WRONG! How DARE they abuse children for FOOD, a RIDE in a truck- they should be puniched severly for these crimes!! My stomach is sick with disgust right NOW!
Posted by: TIELIA | May 9, 2006, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
Is anyone with a brainstem suprised at this?! The UN is the most corrupt, evil, organizations out there. How can you trust anyone who’d put a country like China on the human rights council. Didn’t they just run over a bunch of students with tanks a few years ago? If you’re suprised at any bad behavior on the part of the UN, you’re a moron.
Posted by: Shawn | May 9, 2006, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
The idea that peacekeepers are exploiting their power is disturbing.
Posted by: Ds | May 9, 2006, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
This is most disgusting. What kind of human has such disrespect for those entrusted with their protection and care? Is there no higher authority who finds these actions deplorable? How can these victims ever have hope when at every turn someone is there to violate them in every possible way? Where are those who have promised these victims safty and justice?
Posted by: PRK | May 9, 2006, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
this is sick and more should be done. but nothing will get done just sweep under the rug.
Posted by: tj | May 9, 2006, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
anyone who is working for/ representing on be half of a humanitarian postion in any country and abuses children/people/women while doing so should most definatley be punished and done so infront of the world. whats the matter with humanity today??? wrong is wrong is wrong in any country.
Posted by: sarah | May 9, 2006, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
The US should not try and force their own twisted views of sex and morality down the world throats. How other countries view sex is way diffent than the religious right’s view of sex in the US. Just one more reason the world hates American. The so called kids willing trade what they want for things they can not get other wise. By interferring, they’ll get even less. Wheather it is right wrong or indifferent, the US needs to stop trying to bend the world to its wishes and morality!
Posted by: JS | May 9, 2006, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
THIS NEEDS TO STOP! The UN needs some SERIOUS attention and it’s past time!
Posted by: sl | May 9, 2006, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
I am completely disgusted by the human race in general! I have a 2 year old daughter and i cannot imagine anything like this ever happening to me. These people should be jailed for a long time and then get sexually molested in jail and see if they like it!
Posted by: Danelia | May 9, 2006, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Just is ridiculous to hear, but so normal for these times. You have so much rampant sex crimes from Neverland to UN rufugee camps where being a child isn’t safe anymore. Don’t fire them, castrate them and hang them out to dry.
Posted by: Kim | May 9, 2006, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm
This is a crime, these people are criminals they should be jailed. The most deplorable act is the abuse against a child this is especially heart breaking given the circumstances. These people have to pay for these crimes, furthermore, the people in charge need take action to assure that they will never be given such a sensitive assignment ever again. We must protect our children from these cowards. Jail them now.
Posted by: Emilia Monte | May 9, 2006, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm
This is disgusting!! How can this go unchecked. Now that it is out, why isn’t anyone doing something this very minute to stop it? These people should be brought to swift justice!! NOW!!
Posted by: Pat T | May 9, 2006, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Suspension! Fired! This is insane!!
These peacekeepers should be arrested and prosecuted.
Posted by: victor | May 9, 2006, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
This is the 21st century, we’re supposed to be a world of compassion, understanding and equality and the UN is supposedly an agency that “protects” the underprivileged and suffering…shame on the UN and peacekeepers. Surely, these men have families, aren’t they afraid of spreading diseases? What about the screening of peacekeepers, or does the UN just take ANYBODY into their ranks?
Posted by: SW | May 9, 2006, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
Why is anyone suprised at these latest UN crimes? Ambassador Bolton didn’t go far enough – if the UN building lost 20 stories, it would be a big improvement.
Posted by: D_Smith | May 9, 2006, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
There are no words to express the outrage I feel. I can’t imagine…… Haven’t these children suffered enough. With HIV running rampant in their community. The people that have come to help end up raping them. It is an awful shame.
Posted by: Tammy | May 9, 2006, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
The acts alone are sickening but also this type of thing will make people hesitant to donate to charity organizations. It needs to be dealt with firmly.
Posted by: kf | May 9, 2006, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
This is just down right wrong. I think instead of hunting down Bin Laden we should go to Liberia and hunt down these people that are violating these people’s trust in the UN. This is just wrong. Hunt them down and hang them, there is no jail time that can match the damage done.
Posted by: MS | May 9, 2006, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
What is going on? Who are these monsters? Aren’t there any prostitutes in the area for them to satisfy their disgusting desires? Oh, I forgot, that wouldn’t look good in the eyes of their peers and family … but it’s okay to RAPE a child who are in need of help for survival.
I say if this is true and these sorry excuses for human are doing what is claimed, then “an eye for an eye” practice sounds good to me!
At the very least, prison!!!
Posted by: Terri | May 9, 2006, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
This is an horrific crime, these people are criminals and they should be jailed. The most deplorable act is the abuse against a child. Given the circumstance, this is heart breaking, these people were supposed to protect them not abuse them. These people have to pay for these crimes, furthermore, the people in charge need take action to assure that this individuals will never be given such a sensitive assignment the world needs to know about these individuals (all names must be released) so that all of us can be guarded against them, they can never again work as humanitaries or ever deal with children never again. We must protect our children and the world from these cowards. Jail them now, justice must be served.
Posted by: Rosanna | May 9, 2006, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
I don’t have words to discript the anger and disgust I have toward these people who are committing these acts. It is unthinkable that these “Humanitarians” would govern by fear and threats and bribery. Swift and fierce action needs to be taken by the UN to remove and severely punish these individuals who are abusing the very people they were sent to protect.
Posted by: rhonda | May 9, 2006, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
The peace keepers in Liberia should be exploited themselves for committing such awful acts on innocent little children. It is time for judgement to be brought upon such ungodly people and nation. The families that are trading their little ones for little of nothing should be punished as well.
Concerned about the children.
Thank you
Posted by: LSingletary | May 9, 2006, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
The UN must take more direct actions than just fire those involved. These are children we are talking about. These wounds don’t healed ! what good is it when you give them food but steal their spirit !
Posted by: nmn | May 9, 2006, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
ITS A SHAME ,IT ALWAYS SEEMS LIKE ITS PEOPLE IN HIGH PLACES THAT PULL THESE KIND OF STUNTS,PEOPLE WERE SUPPOSE TO TEACH THESE CHILDREN TO LOOK UP TO AND RESPECT.YOU CAN EVEN TEACH THEM THAT ANYMORE BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW WHO YOU CAN TRUST…
Posted by: cheri | May 9, 2006, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
This infuriates me. Any person capable of harming or violating a child should be put on a firing line. This would end these types of crimes.
Posted by: Ted | May 9, 2006, 7:59 pm 7:59 pm
pray for that situation for the Lord to do a work there. We cannot tolerate these actions under no circumstances. Thos young girls are going to be emotionally scarred unless something is done. Action needs to be taken immediately.!!!
Posted by: Al Conteh | May 9, 2006, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
It is really shameful
Posted by: MALIK | May 9, 2006, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
wow im sickened by this story. the human race is coming to an end. When people abuse children just to feed is wrong?
Posted by: Karlvyn Louis-Charles | May 9, 2006, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm
I am not surprised that this continues. Nor that the UN has done little to stop it. These monsters (yes that is what someone who rapes children is) should be tried and punished severly, not suspended. Is that not what the international court is for? The UN talks about accountablity and screams at the US for unilateral policy (Note I do not agree with unilateral policy making) and the military actions that have occurred. However when the issue of accountablity lies on them to answer for all we hear is plaintive sobs of little children muffled by the grunts of monsters.
Posted by: wesley | May 9, 2006, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm
stop them now and jail them in-tolerable.disgusting
Posted by: gerald hanam | May 9, 2006, 11:15 pm 11:15 pm
Are we animals? How do we allow this to happen? What is wrong with us? And who are these people who actually WANT to have sex with children? Fired? People guilty of these crimes should be fired all right . . . fired out of cannons into brick walls . . . at close range.
Posted by: Dino | May 9, 2006, 11:22 pm 11:22 pm
The UN, being the most corrupt organization on the planet, has a long history of incompetence and devious decisions. The latest, of course, is voting Iran to sit on the Disarmament Commission and the under-reported “Oil for Food” scandal.
This continuance on the part of the UN is a systemic problem that has, not only undermined the US, but has caused great harm to the underprivileged people across the world.
Something has to be done to change the inaction of the UN and perhaps the start is ABC and Fox News continuing to point out the utter hypocrisy that is the failed UN.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Opinionnation | May 10, 2006, 1:10 am 1:10 am
I don’t think it should be a suprise… How many kids here in the US are preyed on by thier teachers, priests, scout leaders, and relatives? Hopefully, just like here, exposure of the issue and education will help. Unfortunately, as long as the kids parents are offering them up as goods for trade rather than protecting them, it is guaranteed the abuse won’t be halted.
Posted by: shaun | May 10, 2006, 2:41 am 2:41 am
This behavior is dispicable and appauling. ABC News should send this article directly to the UN and also make several reports on its’ prime time programs to provoke a wide spread public outcry. This story needs an enormous amount of attention.
Posted by: bernadette | May 10, 2006, 4:47 am 4:47 am
IN LIGHT OF ALL THAT IS ON THE NEWS THESE DAYS, HEARING THIS DOES NOT SURPPRISE ME at all.
FIRED, WELL THAT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT THE un WOULD DO.
The UN is a false imagine of help & hope in the world and everyday they grow further into the mess we call life on this planet.
There will never be peace until after the end of days, so stop crying about it and let’s get on with it. Many “need” to die in order for the few to live in peace, that is reality!
Posted by: Keoki | May 10, 2006, 5:02 am 5:02 am
Come on folks….this is a sad but natural response to our sexed up society. My wife and I removed the TV’s in our home as a result. Want to stop sexual abuse? Stop allowing the media to define for our most impressionable minds!
Posted by: Mark | May 10, 2006, 5:53 am 5:53 am
Once again the UN has proved it’s self to be an outdated, ineffective organization. The UN can not control its own people, and should be disbanded. Their policies have been ineffective for over 20 years. Why should we continue to waste million of dollars on the UN? Send them back to where they came from and worry about our own problems.
Posted by: paul | May 10, 2006, 6:53 am 6:53 am
Reading this not only makes me disgusted, it is heart wrenching… To think a child is being put through devastating conditions by their own country, other countries are putting them through much worse conditions… What does the UN stand for? uncertainty and neglet…. uncertian of their fate and neglet to do the right thing by any human being… the ones that are taking part in this “devastating act to a human spirit” should be incarserated and judge by a member of their peers….. therefor being treated the same as they treated their victims…. My heart and prayers go out to all the children that are placing their trust and fate in the hands of someone that is self indulgent and only cares about what they want at any cost…
Posted by: Starr | May 10, 2006, 8:30 am 8:30 am
This is most disturbing .Un- fortunately until the porn industry and their media cohorts who portray vunerable people, especially women and children as nothing but ‘objects ” to be used and abused for the amusement , pleasure and profit of people in a more powerful position this will likely continue. Have people no conscience? Though this type of behavior has existed for millienium will we never be civilized?
Appetites of every nature will be exploited for profit …pure and simple. It is up to each individual to take responsibility for what exists in their world.
Posted by: MLW | May 10, 2006, 10:26 am 10:26 am
Terrible! They are peacekeepers. How could they do things like that?
Posted by: Alice | May 10, 2006, 10:27 am 10:27 am
In response to the comment above, unfortunately rape is not the purview of caucasian men only. It is the practice of MEN against defenseless/vulnerable women, girls, boys and yes, even other men. The southern half of Africa has the hugest incidence of HIV/AIDS in the world, most of it transmitted by men of those countries against women and girls living there, so to simply say “caucasian men” are sick is missing the point. Also, the UN “peacekeepers” are made up of people representing the entire globe and therefore are made up of more than caucasian men. However, the majority are MEN and they are raping as noted by the article. Does that mean all men are sick? NO, but these men definitely should be fired, prosecuted and punished. If readers are really concerned, they should next go to the UN website and log their concerns there where they may have the most impact. These rape incidents along with other documented UN worker abuses are why I am very reluctant to think kindly of the UN as a global leader in peace and humanitarian efforts — they should realize how tarnished their image becomes and worse each day as long as they do nothing about this problem.
Posted by: Oli | May 10, 2006, 10:46 am 10:46 am
Is it time for the United States to say that this activity must stop immediately or the United States will leave the United Nations and they must leave NYC immediately. I am sick of people like Koffi Annan making anti-American remarks when they are in our country more often than the countries they are suppossed to representing.
Posted by: Stuart Dinwiddie | May 10, 2006, 11:04 am 11:04 am
I believe that all men and women should be screened before entering them into the hands of others. Morals seem to not matter anymore. Laws should be more strict so that we are more focused on the qualifications,background and education and not just picking anyone just to fill a position.
Because we, as a nation, look stupid and why should we be respected if we are no better than the ones that live in that particular area….
Posted by: Marie | May 10, 2006, 11:26 am 11:26 am
We’re dealing with the UN… one of the largest bureaucracies in the world. They may be able to prevent violence in certain areas up to a point, but when it comes to issues of human rights there are too many opportunities for corruption where they are stationed. They cannot police themselves, let alone others. One option would be to have servicemen from individual countries police the area in question on a rotating basis, e.g., one month France, the next month Italy, the next month the U.S., etc. Take the responsibility out of the hands of the UN… this is beyond their capability.
Posted by: Harry Katz | May 10, 2006, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
To say that this is deplorable and tragic is a massive understatement. A new word must be invented to convey the base actions these individuals have taken. Sadly, this type of behavior is nothing new to the list of Humanity’s disgraces through the ages. Sadder still is the action, or lack thereof, on the part of the U.N. to punish these criminals and predators. The so-called U.N. is just another inept and counter-productive political body to add to the list along with so many others.
Posted by: Michael | May 10, 2006, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
This is wrong! Why is something like this being reported on a blog? If there is knowledge of it, why isn’t anyone being arrested?!?! These pigs are sick sick sick!!!! I thought I’ve seen it all and then something like this comes along and makes me lose faith in humanity again! Why does this have to happen to babies? Their position is to help, not harm these poor babies!!!
Posted by: John | May 10, 2006, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
Start by screening the UN workers as they screen police officers in the States – that is thorough background checks including polygraphs – prior to assignments. This won’t stop the problem, but it will remove some bad apples before they can do irreparable harm to a child.
Posted by: Mark B. | May 10, 2006, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
We had a pedophile in Homeland Security (Brian J. Doyle)who passed an extensive background check & a head shrink exam. Men have been using their power as an opportunity to excerise their will from the days that humanity began. Why aren’t these freaks on a short leash? A screening may show a clean record & a fit psychological profile but that doesn’t mean it will reveal their deepest foul secrets. I say pull them all out and appoint a national leader in those countries to receive humanitarian aid. They should have been jailed the moment the first accusation was filed. From what I see in the unique world of those with power is these evil men will get away with it. Humanity can be so digusting
Posted by: Linda Beanett | May 10, 2006, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm
This really is disturbing….the UN should press heavy charges for this conduct displayed in Liberia by the “humanitarians”.
Posted by: G-Man | May 10, 2006, 11:53 pm 11:53 pm
To the person who said that the lack of this sex trade will give the poor even less money:
It’s a little thing called “donations.” Isn’t that cash going somewhere where it’s needed, in this case Liberia?
Posted by: Brendinator | May 11, 2006, 12:06 am 12:06 am
this is outragious and outlandish,though action should be taken immediatly nothing has been done. they have talked a good game but now that its in the news its time to take action. if they choose to sit around and watch this continue to happen and just turn the other cheek, then the old fashioned taring and feathering should be in order. corpral punishment would make my day.
Posted by: renae | May 11, 2006, 8:37 am 8:37 am
It certainly is a sad, discpicable situation the UN humanitarians are placing themselves in. Where are the lawyers for the Liberian children/women–wouldn’t it be nice to hear a class action suit being filed against the UN/employees. Why isn’t the media exploiting these unconscionable acts against these humanitarians and the employer–the UN.
Posted by: Usha | May 11, 2006, 10:15 am 10:15 am
I still can not understand why the American people allow the UN to operate in the USA. This is one more reason to eject them from America so they can move to Europe where they belong. Curse those inflicting harm on the young!
Posted by: Freedom | May 16, 2006, 7:10 am 7:10 am
I’m not surprised, I’ve heard reports that the same thing is happening except on a more organised level, on UN ships where high up men can enjoy a “cruise” with captive child sex slaves around the Indonesian area. It’s the same as what happened with Dyncorp workers (mercanaries) in Europe where they were buying child prostitutes from local crime rings and having sex with them in front of each other, look up Dycorp and Sex Slavery on Google and you’ll see lots of verified articles on it – And then Dyncorp got the contract for Iraq – and they’re also going to be working in the Australiasian area. It’s amazing, what is so amazing about having sex with children and young women and boys without their will – torturing them basically? What is wrong with these men?????? Why are they all doing the same thing??? Why is it so organised??? Is this something intrisic in mens nature – women can be abusive too obviously but this is unbelievable! When you compile this with rape of children in state care and by friends and parents etc – along with partner, date and stranger rape of women? What is going on???? Why is this such an amazing pass time??? It can’t be biological, seeing as small children and boys cannot bear their young??? I am totally lost but it is so relieving that so many people have the same reaction to this as me!!!! They should be fired, brought back to their respective countries, tried and gaoled/executed as is their native countries law – like child sex tourists are in Australia when they return home.
Posted by: Jessamine | May 17, 2006, 9:15 am 9:15 am
For Years now they have been doing this, any country they ‘peacekeep’ in. This is a system they use,it appears to be kids from the age of 8-13 and they are ‘systimatically’ raped by UN soldiers. If any day any ‘blue hats’ show up on your street,believe me….. they are not who they appear to be…… all of them. DO YOUR RESEARCH – they are the new world army and they will go every where and do this,any place they invade and then when that is complete, there will be only two places left to go…….no1 is the USA and finally…. right on your doorstep… all in the name of peace and security… beware
Posted by: Paul | May 17, 2006, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm
If this issue is disgusting people, then you are not reading enough of the evil of the UN. You believe what the media and the UN says about the UN.
You have WONDERFUL hearts, but you are naive. So am I at times, but we can learn and change things for the better.
Posted by: john | May 18, 2006, 8:00 am 8:00 am
Have you heard that Clinton administration handed over all our national parks to the UN in 1996?
Posted by: v4vendeta | May 19, 2006, 3:22 am 3:22 am
this is not the first time that the un has been implicated in child rape. i have read reports that the un is actually active in the sex slave trade.
child sex abuse is rampant throughout the world.
i would suggest that you all read THE FRANKLIN COVER UP and find out who is involved here, in the usa, in kidnapping and sexually abusing, torturing and even snuffing children.
read the jeff gannon/ james guckert/ johnny gosch story.
it is high time these evil people are exposed. and something be done about it.
start reading folks.
Posted by: martha | May 19, 2006, 9:49 am 9:49 am
well i have read about the same thin going on in the d.r.c and all they do is get to sent back home . question ? what do these people do when they reach there and they are not exposed? U GET THE PICTURE
Posted by: carlos | May 27, 2006, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm