Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers

The study introduces the SEAP dataset, covering missions by the UN, NATO, ECOWAS, and the African Union from 1999 to 2010. Through multivariate logit regression, the authors identify that larger mission sizes and a history of extensive sexual violence in the host country's preceding conflict are the most robust predictors of reported SEA. Other significant factors include lower economic development in host countries and a general increase in reporting after 2005, likely due to heightened international focus following the 2005 Zeid report.

• The most consistent and robust predictor of reported sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) is the size of the peacekeeping mission; larger operations with more uniformed troops on the ground are more likely to have reported SEA.
• Missions in host countries that experienced high levels of sexual violence during the preceding armed conflict show a significantly higher probability of reported SEA by peacekeepers.
• Economic under-development in the host country is associated with a higher likelihood of SEA reports, potentially because local populations have fewer economic alternatives for survival, increasing the market for transactional sex.
• Reports of SEA became more frequent after 2005, which the authors attribute to an increased international focus and awareness following the publication of the Zeid report.
• Higher levels of ongoing violent conflict (measured by annual battle deaths) are associated with fewer reports of SEA, likely because security risks limit troop mobility and interaction with local populations.
• Contrary to the authors' initial hypothesis, the presence of laws prohibiting spousal rape in the host country was associated with a slightly higher probability of reported SEA, possibly because such countries are more attuned to uncovering and reporting abuse.
• The inclusion of women in a mission's mandate showed a weak and inconsistent relationship with SEA reports, though some preliminary data suggested missions mentioning women might actually have a higher probability of reports.

APA

Nordås, R., & Rustad, S. C. A. (n.d.). Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers. Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/db48f7bf-a145-4c6d-9285-0563c235198e/Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers Understanding Variation.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

Nordås, Ragnhild, and Siri C. A. Rustad. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers. Peace Research Institute Oslo, n.d. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/db48f7bf-a145-4c6d-9285-0563c235198e/Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers Understanding Variation.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Nordås |first1=Ragnhild |last2=Rustad |first2=Siri C. A. |title=Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/db48f7bf-a145-4c6d-9285-0563c235198e/Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers Understanding Variation.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{nordsndsexual, author = {Nordås, Ragnhild and Rustad, Siri C. A.}, title = {{Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/db48f7bf-a145-4c6d-9285-0563c235198e/Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeepers Understanding Variation.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }