Meeting of victims of sexual violence in the Walungu, South Kivu in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Source: Wikipedia

Security Sector Roles in Sexual and Gender-based Violence

June 11, 2014by Edward Rackley Leave a comment

Democratic Republic of Congo’s sexual violence epidemic is not only a weapon of ongoing violent conflict but an expression of entrenched systemic problems. Indeed, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is most commonly perpetrated by the security services in place to protect civilians. In Quartier Panzi in South Kivu province, innovative processes of security sector reform and strengthened police-civilian channels of communication may be providing an opportunity for change, argues World Bank adviser Edward Rackley.

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Somaliland Shillings, Hargeisa, 2008. Source: Tristam Sparks (Flickr)

The Costs of Security Sector Reform: Questions of Affordability and Purpose

April 9, 2014by Bernard Harborne Leave a comment

In considering security sector reform, questions of affordability have often been subordinated to questions of effectiveness and expediency. A recent series of reviews of security expenditures by the World Bank and other actors in Liberia, Mali, Niger and Somalia has highlighted several emerging issues around the (re)construction of security institutions in fragile and conflict-affected states.

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Self-Defense? Mexico Gambles on Vigilante Security

February 12, 2014by Sarah Kinosian

A new alliance between the Mexican security forces and citizen ‘self-defence’ groups in Michoacán state has brought some short term success in the fight against the Knights Templar cartel. But what will be the long-term consequences of legitimizing heavily armed vigilante groups in Mexico?

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Countering Militarised Public Security in Latin America: Lessons from Nicaragua

November 12, 2013by Matt Budd

Facing a myriad of public security challenges that have provoked some of the highest indices of crime and violence in the world, authorities in Central America have followed a variety of different responses, ranging from repressive and reactive policies to grass roots prevention. Of these approaches, the Nicaraguan National Police’s Proactive Community Policing model stands out due to the results it has achieved. In the second of our two-part discussion, ‘Countering Militarisation of Public Security in Latin America’, Matt Budd explores the lessons that Latin American countries can extract from Nicaragua’s unique approach to public security.

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