Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Accepted
Paragraph: 124
We welcome ICAI’s review of sexual exploitation and abuse in international peacekeeping.
Recommendation
We welcome ICAI’s review of sexual exploitation and abuse in international peacekeeping. A culture of impunity among peacekeeping troops has contributed to the persistence of sexual exploitation and abuse. Perpetrators need to know that if they are caught, they will be punished. The UK should design its programmes for preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in a way that seeks to tackle apathy among middle and senior level leadership in peacekeeping missions and builds a strong safeguarding culture.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government rejects the characterisation of apathy but agrees on the importance of leadership commitment to tackling SEA, and states it is already funding projects that provide technical guidance and workshops for peacekeeping leadership to build a strong safeguarding culture.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
124
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
We do not recognise the characterisation of apathy, but agree on the importance of ensuring all personnel, including the middle and senior leadership, are fully committed to tackling SEA. Vulnerable communities that peacekeepers have been sent to protect must be protected from exploitation and abuse. Projects which the UK has funded to help achieve this include: ‘Sustaining Action Against Misconduct and Communication on the Women, Peace and Security agenda’; ‘Redress for victims of SEA’; and ‘Taking action to end SEA.’ These projects focus on peacekeeping missions with the highest number of SEA allegations and provide technical guidance and workshops for field and 10 Seventh Special Report of Session 2019–21 HQ leadership on communicating on misconduct and ensuring alignment with system- wide communications practices. The UK will continue to look for new ways to ensure SEA is embedded and prioritised throughout missions.
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