The Distribution and Consequences of Sexual Misconduct Perpetrated by Peacekeepers in Haiti: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Reports of sexual abuse and exploitation and children fathered by peacekeepers were made during the course of The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). This research (1) Explores the association between location (rural, semi-urban, urban) and the sharing of narratives about sexual misconduct perpetrated by MINUSTAH peacekeepers; (2) Investigates the relationship between sharing narratives about sexual misconduct and the desire to engage with the UN/MINUSTAH. In 2017, a cross-sectional survey was administered by Haitian research assistants using SenseMaker®, a rapid mixed-methods data collection tool that allows participants to share a narrative on a topic of interest. In total, 2541 self-interpreted narratives pertaining to the experiences of women/girls in relation to MINUSTAH were collected across Haiti. After adjustment, narratives from rural areas were more likely (RRrural: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.38) to address sexual misconduct, compared to narratives shared in urban areas. (2) Personal experiences of sexual misconduct were more likely (RRsex: 4.52; 95% CI: 3.34, 6.12) to be associated with rejection of the UN/MINUSTAH, compared to personal narratives of positive/neutral experiences. This research is an empirical steppingstone to understanding the distribution and consequences of peacekeeper perpetrated sexual abuse and exploitation in Haiti.