We often hear about peacekeepers and humanitarian workers as heroes, as people who step into chaos to bring relief, security, and hope. But what if I told you that in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, these same individuals have been the source of unimaginable harm?

It’s uncomfortable to talk about, but it needs to be said: children are being sexually abused by those who were sent to protect them. In peacekeeping and humanitarian settings especially where safety should be non-negotiable and where there are children carrying trauma that was handed to them by those wearing the badge of protection. This isn’t new, but it’s still happening. And it’s not just a story from one country or one region but it’s a global problem.

Since 2017, the United Nations has received thousands of reports of sexual abuse committed by peacekeepers and humanitarian workers. Shockingly, around one in four victims in these cases is a child. These are children who were already living in extremely vulnerable conditions; displaced by conflict, separated from their families, dependent on humanitarian aid to survive. The betrayal is deep. These are the people they were taught to trust. And the system meant to protect them? Far too often, it’s failing them again. Even when cases are reported, justice is rare. More than 60% of cases referred to member states go unresolved. The legal systems in place often fall short, riddled with jurisdictional loopholes that allow perpetrators to walk away freely. It’s not only heartbreaking but it’s also infuriating.

We need to remember something fundamental: this isn’t just about failed systems or broken policies. This is about the violation of children’s rights at the most basic level. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is clear. Every child has the right to be protected from violence, abuse, and exploitation. Yet, in some of the most fragile places on earth, where children need that protection the most, their rights are being torn apart and often, no one is held accountable. This is a betrayal not only of children, but of international law, humanitarian ethics, and basic human decency.

And what about the children born as a result of this abuse? Since 2006, there have been over 750 paternity claims involving UN personnel and yet 517 remain unresolved. This means hundreds of mothers are raising children without recognition, support, or justice. These children grow up in the shadows of systems that failed them before they were even born. Who takes responsibility for them? Where is the accountability?

This is not a situation where we need more empty promises or lengthy reports. We need change which is concrete, visible, enforceable. That means making empathy and child protection training mandatory for all personnel in the field, creating accessible, child-friendly reporting systems in every community where peacekeepers and aid workers operate, funding survivor support including legal aid, mental health care, and education programs. These should not just be for weeks, but for as long as it takes, enforcing paternity recognition and child support obligations, and most importantly, treating sexual abuse of children not as an internal matter or a PR crisis but as the serious human rights violation that it is.

This issue can’t be solved by international bodies alone. Communities, civil society, and individuals all have a role to play. We need to normalize talking about abuse, empower children and survivors to speak up, and build systems where their voices actually lead to justice. Let’s also be honest about something: silence is part of the problem. Too often, people know what’s happening, but fear of losing jobs, reputations, or funding keeps them quiet. That culture needs to change. Because a culture of silence is a culture that enables abuse.

These are heavy truths to sit with. But if we turn away from these stories because they’re hard to hear, we become part of the problem. Peacekeeping should not be a cover for abuse. Humanitarian work should not be a shield for predators. And the children affected by these crimes should never have to beg for justice. Instead, they should receive it as a guarantee.