Child abuse claims - Name them to stop them

THE notion of someone who is entrusted with the care of a child turing into a sex abuser is not new to anyone who has lived in this country for more than a decade.

However, yesterday’s accusation from Save the Children UK, that “significant” levels of sexual abuse of children as young as six by UN peacekeepers and aid workers has been under-reported is unnerving.

The relationship between a UN peacekeeper or an aid worker and a child in a crisis-torn area of the world is dependent on trust and if the charges are proven, immediate and severe action must be taken to protect these children.

Save the Children has made serious allegations against organisations that have made stringent efforts to prevent these crimes. To help these efforts Save the Children should name those they believe responsible for this appalling behaviour.