Report: Peacekeepers abusing children

LONDON, May 27 (UPI) -- A British non-profit organization called for an international investigation of alleged sexual abuse of children by aid workers and U.N. peacekeepers.

Save the Children said its research found children as young as 6 were forced to parlay sex for food, money, necessities, even cell phones in theaters of war and disaster, The Times of London reported Monday.

The organization said it researched conditions in the Ivory Coast, Southern Sudan and Haiti.

In one instance, a 12-year-old Ivory Coast girl said she was raped by a U.N. peacekeeper but village elders claimed their reporting the attack was ignored.

Jasmine Whitbread, Save the Children UK chief executive, said the report "exposes the despicable actions of a small number of perpetrators who are sexually abusing some of the most vulnerable children in the world, the very children they are meant to protect."

The report recommended better reporting methods and strengthening global child protection systems.

Nick Birnback of the United Nations' peacekeeping operations said the report was "absolutely appalling," the British newspaper said.

"The vast majority of U.N. peacekeepers all over the world ... serve with honor and courage in very difficult situations and don't engage in this unacceptable behavior," Birnback said.