United Nations: The United Nations says it received 54 allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation in the first three months of 2018 involving the entire UN system and non-governmental groups implementing UN programs.

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters today that 14 allegations involved UN peacekeeping operations, 18 involved UN agencies, funds and programs, and 21 related to partner organisations. One allegation involved a member of a non-UN international force, he said.

Haq said the allegations involve 66 victims including 13 girls under the age of 18. The ages of 16 victims were unknown.

Units involved in the United Nations’s peace keeping operations have long been in the spotlight over allegations of rape, sexual assault and other sexual abuses including of minor girls in conflict zones such as Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. But, the latest figures demonstrate that sexual misconduct is not just restricted to soldiers on the ground.

Haq stressed that "with over 95,000 civilians and 90,000 uniformed personnel working for the U.N., sexual exploitation and abuse are not reflective of the conduct of the majority of the dedicated women and men who serve the organization." "But every allegation involving our personnel undermines our values and principles and the sacrifice of those who serve with pride and professionalism in some of the most dangerous places in the world," he said. He said "combating this scourge, and helping and empowering those who have been scarred by these egregious acts, continue to be key priorities" for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

In 2017, the United Nations received 138 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, some involving multiple perpetrators and victims, and over 40 percent arising from its peacekeeping missions, according to a U.N. report in March of this year.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the March report that much remains to be done "to ensure the United Nations has its own house in order" and his "zero tolerance" policy for sexual misconduct becomes a reality.

"No individual serving under the United Nations flag should be associated with sexual exploitation and abuse," he said. "Combating this scourge continues to be one of my key priorities for 2018, as is assisting and empowering those who have been scarred by these egregious acts."

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said tackling sexual abuse will be on the agenda of Guterres' meeting in London on May 3-4 with his senior leadership and the heads of 31 U.N. agencies and specialized organizations. It is being hosted by the London-based International Maritime Organization. (With Agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2018 01:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).