Protection of Civilians Military Reference Guide
occur because of long-term fundamental political concerns , new struggles for political power in a post-conflict setting , or sudden situations such as when humanitarian assistance is being distributed to a large and desperate crowd . During these occasions , civilians could be harmed as soldiers attempt to protect themselves or others , and such incidents could cause even greater unrest .
d . A society disrupted by armed conflict will likely have numerous civilian vulnerabilities , particularly if there are large numbers of displaced persons ( DPs ) who lack food , water , shelter , medical care , and security . Disease , starvation , dehydration , and the climate may be more threatening to civilians than violence . DPs may migrate to militaries to obtain assistance , and in some cases hostile actors may attempt to blend in with the DPs . This will pose a challenge to military forces attempting to balance force protection measures with the desire to provide assistance to DPs .
e . Sexual violence may be manifested in conflict-related sexual violence ( CRSV ) or sexual and gender-based violence ( SGBV ) which can exist outside of conflict situations . Sexual discrimination , marginalization , and sexual exploitation and abuse ( SEA ) by those in authority , including members of military forces or partnered organizations , are related serious problems . Sexual violence is primarily directed at females , but members of both genders can be victims . It can be fostered by a culture of impunity , culturally-accepted biases against women , lack of discipline , and beliefs and behavior that violate accepted human rights standards . CRSV incidents clearly demonstrate that civilians are not adequately protected .
f . Cultural norms will be relevant in how the local population responds to incidents in which civilians are harmed and , accordingly , the appropriate mitigation measures military forces should adopt in different situations . In some cultures , family members may be expected to conduct acts of revenge for the rest of their lives . In others , a one-time token gesture may suffice . Revenge may not be common in some cultures , provided appropriate compensation is made . Monetary compensation could be expected in some places , while it may be viewed as an insult in others . In some situations it may be expected that family members are contacted directly , while in other cultures such contact would not be advisable . Contact with female members of the population may be problematic in some societies , and could require specially trained teams of female soldiers or the use of intermediaries . In many societies widows , orphans , and victims of sexual violence may be especially vulnerable to deprivation .
g . Military forces should obtain training and insight regarding culturally-appropriate behavior from host-state partners and others who can provide useful advice , to include how they should behave if they are the first responders to CRSV . In most cases , key leader engagement will be important to mitigate civilian casualties and prevent incidents from escalating . It may also be advisable to employ teams of female soldiers who are trained to conduct engagements with female members of the population . This can help maintain credibility and avoid misperceptions ; however , it does not imply that only female soldiers should address these issues .
INFORMATIONAL FACTORS
a . These matters include the information required to maintain situational understanding and conduct effective operations , as well as the messaging associated with the operations and mission . The GPMESII framework provides a useful way to organize most relevant information , and
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