A UN logo is seen on a glass door in the Assembly Building at the UN headquarters in New York City September 18, 2015. Credit: Reuters/Mike Segar/Files
United Nations: Forty allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse were made during the last three months of 2017 against UN peacekeeping missions, agencies, funds and programmes and implementing partners, the world body said on Thursday.
Of the 40 accusations, 15 were reported from peacekeeping operations, 17 came from UN agencies, funds and programmes, while eight were reported by implementing partners, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
“Every allegation involving our personnel undermines our values and principles and the sacrifice of those who serve with pride and professionalism in some of the most dangerous places in the world,” Dujarric said.
He said the 40 allegations involved 54 victims – 30 women and 16 girls, while the ages of eight others are unknown. Twelve cases occurred last year, seven in 2016, three in 2015 or earlier, while the dates for the rest are unknown.
Two cases have been substantiated, three not substantiated, while the rest are under investigation, Dujarric said.
More than 95,000 civilians and 90,000 troops and police work for the UN.
The UN has tried to increase transparency and strengthen how it deals with such accusations during the past few years after a string of sexual exploitation and abuse charges were made against UN peacekeepers in Central Africa.
Charities in the aid sector have recently come under the spotlight and several have pledged to overhaul their approach to dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment.
The deputy director of the UN children’s agency UNICEF, Justin Forsyth, resigned on Thursday after Save the Children UK said concerns were raised about inappropriate comments and behavior Forsyth in 2011 and 2015, when he was the charity’s chief executive.