Sexual exploitation by UN peacekeepers: the 'survival sex' gap in international human rights law. Issue 9 (22nd November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mudgway, Cassandra
• Is Part Of: International journal of human rights. Volume 21:Issue 9(2017)
• Page Start: 1453
• Page End: 1476
• Publication Date: 2017-11-22
• Subjects: Violence against women -- United Nations peacekeeping -- sexual exploitation and abuse -- Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women; Human rights -- Periodicals; Civil rights -- Periodicals; 323
• DOI: 10.1080/13642987.2017.1348720
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-2987

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against United Nations peacekeepers over the past decade prompted a zero-tolerance policy response. Despite the many reforms to date, it is the troop-contributing countries which have exclusive criminal jurisdiction over their military contingent members and the current framework has been criticised for failing to ensure accountability of offenders. This article focuses on a particular form of sexual exploitation known as 'survival sex'; where sex is exchanged for aid or assistance which is already owed to the local population. In an effort to consider ways to improve individual accountability of perpetrators of survival sex, this article will explore three arguments; first, that survival sex should be considered violence against women under international human rights law and, second, that state obligations to respond to survival sex do not currently exist. Third, the question of whether the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women should consider filling the 'survival sex' gap will be discussed.