The United Nations (U.N.) internal auditing agency is investigating around 250 cases of sexual exploitation and abuse, a majority of which involving their own peacekeeping missions. Of the cases being investigated by the U.N., 172 cases involve peacekeeping missions from around the world. The cases' were “a black eye certainly for the U.N. They've taken a very serious look at it and they've been doing everything they can to get away from it,” U.N. Messenger of Peace George Clooney told S.P.A. When asked about this matter, Inga-Britt Ahlenius, who is the head of the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), had no immediate comment. The selection of who made up the troops in the U.N. peacekeeping units may have contributed to the decline in the number of cases, but the staggering number of U.N. forces involved in the cases may have been because of a number of factors, Vladislav Guerassev, head of the OIOS on sexual exploitation and abuse matters, told S.P.A. Sexual misconduct is the highest for the U.N. Mission in Liberia, Ahlenius told S.P.A. However, 180 cases have been committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to Radhika Coomaraswamy, who is a Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. There are some 80 cases involving sexual exploitation and abuse in all of the global peacekeeping missions, 14 of which taking place in Liberia, Ahlenius told S.P.A. This week alone, there have been two new alleged reports in Liberia. But, Guerassev told S.P.A that there has been “a steady decrease” of such cases in the last two years. U.N. Conduct and Discipline Chief Marian Martin told S.P.A. that the Field Personnel Division of the Department of Field Support recruits the international civilian personnel of peacekeeping missions, but said that there is “no examination base on a course.” Martin added that once applicants are chosen for peacekeeping consideration, they are obligated to take two courses, a one week course in Brandezi, Italy and a 3-day course on the ground where their mission is conducted. Martin admitted to S.P.A. that these courses are merely a briefing and do not entail an examination following completion. She said the courses are composed “of a series of briefing sessions on a variety of topics” and briefing sessions on sexual exploitation and abuse cases are mandatory for all international staff members. Martin said the courses are an overview of peacekeeping, human rights, conduct and discipline pertaining to the U.N. and to their mission. They receive a briefing on human rights, gender, HIV/Aids, and on general issues. S.P.A. has learned that violators of these courses have committed sexual exploitation and abuse in their missions.
