Interview: ‘Very difficult conversations’: Seeking justice for sexual victims

You share with UN News his on-the-ground accounts of “extremely difficult conversations” with victims and their children, and how the UN handles issues from child support to DNA testing.

Australia’s Jane Connors is the first Victims’ Rights Advocate for the United Nations.

UN News: How would you assess the progress made so far?

Jane Connors: Good progress has been made in getting people to understand from a policy point of view that victims and their rights and dignity are very important. The challenge is to get that translated into reality on the ground.

We have made very good progress where we have victims’ rights advocates on the ground, in the Central African Republic, DR Congo, Haiti, and South Sudan.

Sex or abuse often leads to pregnancy, and men almost always leave women because they have other families elsewhere. More reports have come forward, and more has been done in support of victims and, in particular, pursuing child support claims.

One of the biggest challenges is reducing the impact of sexual abuse and the idea that there is consent. Just because you are able to use your power to exploit someone and get them to openly admit it doesn’t mean they agree. Accountability to victims should be our priority. Insurance from the victim’s perspective will be very different from what others may think.

UN News: Are states doing enough to make real progress?

Jane Connors: Known paternity cases involving personnel working in United Nations peacekeeping or special political missions, military or uniformed police in particular. In terms of identifying victims, our mission has a long way to go.

I went to many countries to gain confidence and urge them to use their good offices to allow men who gave birth to children and have been positively identified by DNA matching to do what they are supposed to do.

It is the joint responsibility of Member States and the UN to ensure that children’s rights are fulfilled. They have the right to know their father and be supported by him. It is also a parent’s responsibility.

© Australian Defense Force/CPL

Superintendent Gnima Diedhiou from Senegal discusses interview techniques with fellow student Lieutenant Colonel Ade San Arief from Indonesia during the UN National Research Officer Training of Trainers at RAAF Williams Laverton, Melbourne.

UN News: Can the project be supported by the UN Victims’ Assistance Organization Is there a real difference in the life of the victim?

Jane Connors: I think it makes a difference. Currently, we have projects in DR Congo and Liberia, we already have one in Haiti, and soon we are in the Central African Republic. We need to do much more with prevention, as prevention and response are inextricably linked; you can’t have one without the other.

You need to have a victim element to make people think about the consequences of their behavior. They harm not only the individual, but also their community and their own family. When we talk about abuse, in general, we talk about very dangerous sexual behavior with children under the age of 18.

I would like to see more focus on behavior change. It takes a lot of work, dedicated resources, and great leadership to do something unacceptable. Remember when you drive while drunk, and now it is as far as unacceptable. It’s a long, long game.

UN News: Are investigations being done fast enough?

Jane Connors: More work needs to be done with investigators coming out of a law enforcement background. They need their hearts to change. They must know that disappointment is very bad, that they must be kind and compassionate, and they must let people know. Giving victims information and follow up is not very good, and you really have to improve.

UN Secretary General Jane Connors concluded her five-day visit to South Sudan with a press conference in Juba, the capital, on December 7, 2017.

UN News: Are there common messages you hear from the victims?

Jane Connors: These are very difficult conversations. I will meet anyone who wants to talk about this issue. I remember a country I visited a few years ago where many women who had children born through sexual exploitation and abuse, they were not very satisfied, did not receive support, no help; Children don’t go to school because they don’t have money to pay for fees, and they don’t know what’s going on with father’s rights.

One of them said, ‘People like you, we see you all the time. He came and talked to us, he left, we didn’t hear anything’. And I said to them, ‘Look, I am not very strong, but I will do what I can do’.

I have good colleagues in the country who collected about 40,000 dollars, so that those children can go to school. That makes a big difference. At the end of that year, they met the women and said ‘At least he did what he said he would do’.

UN News: He has met with victims in many countries. What is your message to them?

Jane Connors: I am amazed at their tolerance for the UN, their patience, their tolerance, and it is also very much appreciated by those who are able to go forward. In terms of ongoing projects, there have been women who have been able to continue to have businesses. This is what we do together.