Opportunity and Sex Offending by International Peacekeepers in the Central African Republic

Opportunity and Sex Offending by International Peacekeepers in the Central African Republic by Musa Yerro Gassama Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2018 Abstract Despite their peacekeeping role in the management of internal armed conflicts, some military peacekeepers have sexually exploited local populations in host countries, resulting in dire social and health consequences and threats to the success of international peace operations. Although researchers have examined sexual violence committed by peacekeepers, few researchers, if any, have used routine activities theory to examine sex offending by peacekeepers. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which situational opportunities influenced international military peacekeepers’ engagement in the sexual exploitation of civilians in the Central African Republic, a peacekeeping host country. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews with 15 research participants, including local witnesses, military officers, representatives of civil society organizations, and United Nations policy makers, and from public records obtained from online sources. Data were coded using an inductive coding strategy and then analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that both the local and peacekeeping conditions, including lack of deterrence and accountability mechanisms, heightened the vulnerability of local populations to sex predation and motivated peacekeeper sex offenders to engage in sex offending. Local community leaders, civil society organizations, peacekeepers, and policy makers could use study findings to promote educational programs on the institutional responsibility to protect vulnerable civilians as well as shape policies to prevent the commission of sexual exploitation by peacekeepers. These actions may also help susceptible civilians, especially women and girls, to be aware of the risks linked to their vulnerability and empower them to seek legal redress.Despite their peacekeeping role in the management of internal armed conflicts, some military peacekeepers have sexually exploited local populations in host countries, resulting in dire social and health consequences and threats to the success of international peace operations. Although researchers have examined sexual violence committed by peacekeepers, few researchers, if any, have used routine activities theory to examine sex offending by peacekeepers. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which situational opportunities influenced international military peacekeepers’ engagement in the sexual exploitation of civilians in the Central African Republic, a peacekeeping host country. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews with 15 research participants, including local witnesses, military officers, representatives of civil society organizations, and United Nations policy makers, and from public records obtained from online sources. Data were coded using an inductive coding strategy and then analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that both the local and peacekeeping conditions, including lack of deterrence and accountability mechanisms, heightened the vulnerability of local populations to sex predation and motivated peacekeeper sex offenders to engage in sex offending. Local community leaders, civil society organizations, peacekeepers, and policy makers could use study findings to promote educational programs on the institutional responsibility to protect vulnerable civilians as well as shape policies to prevent the commission of sexual exploitation by peacekeepers. These actions may also help susceptible civilians, especially women and girls, to be aware of the risks linked to their vulnerability and empower them to seek legal redress. Opportunity and Sex Offending by International Peacekeepers in the Central African Republic by Musa Yerro Gassama Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2018 Dedication To my supportive wife, Amie Faye. To our eldest and late daughter, Habie. To our sons, Yerro, Batch, and Amadou. Acknowledgments My sincerest gratitude goes to my faculty mentor and dissertation committee chair, Dr. Yu, who has guided and challenged me throughout the doctoral program and process. Dr. Yu’s rigor and attention to details have instilled a sense of discipline in my academic work. My committee member, Dr. Saye, has also provided guidance and has challenged me in the journey. I could not have taken this arduous journey alone. I am indebted to each one of them. I sincerely thank both of them for the suggestions that have helped me in the revisions. My sincere thanks also go to Dr. John Walker, my university research reviewer member, who provided guidance on the revisions. I want to thank Dr. Kachgal, who did the Form and Style Review, all the international academic advisors who had worked with me, and administrative staff of Walden University, who, in one way or another, also contributed to the outcome of my doctoral study. I express my gratitude to my wife and children for their support and patience throughout this journey. The joyful presence of my family and their understanding accompanied me throughout this long journey.