In contemporary times, civilians in countries ravaged by armed conflicts, continue to bear the effects of hostilities. Too often, both governments and international peacekeeping operations are too often failing to prevent these atrocities. Efforts made by peacekeeping missions in conflict-affected regions, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Western Sudan, show that it is possible to do more. Perpetrators act, whereas victims are denied any equivalent agency. They are simply people to whom things are done, or people to whom help must be given. Reality is never quite so...