Sexual abuse of children has been a persistent problem in Afghanistan, particularly among commanders who control most of the area and can "bully" the population. The abuse is called bacha bazi, literally “boy play,” and American soldiers and Marines have been instructed not to intervene. And in some instances, not even when their Afghan allies have abused boys on military bases, according to interviews and court records.

“The reason we were here is because we heard the terrible things the Taliban were doing to people, how they were taking away human rights,” said Dan Quinn.

Dan Quinn is a former Special Forces captain who was relieved of his command and pulled from Afghanistan after he fought an Afghan militia commander for keeping a boy chained to his bed as a sex slave. He said, “...we were putting people into power who would do things that were worse than the Taliban did." And that was something village elders voiced to him.

After the beating, the Army relieved Captain Quinn of his command and pulled him from Afghanistan. He has since left the military.

Four years later, the Army is also trying to forcibly retire Sgt. First Class Charles Martland, a Special Forces member who joined Captain Quinn in beating up the commander.

There is no solution to the abuse yet, but there is an active force trying to prevent it. It's a good start. 

Eryn Sanclemente

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/world/asia/us-soldiers-told-to-ignore-afghan-allies-abuse-of-boys.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0