Addressing Violence Against Children in Belize

Belize marks the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, joining a global call to protect children from violence and abuse. The observance comes amid growing concern at home, following recent cases of deadly shootings and assaults involving minors. Tonight, we focus on the impact, and the push for change. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

This week alone, two minors were shot in separate incidents across Belize, and one of them, fifteen-year-old Rackeem Armstrong, did not survive. His death has sparked outrage, with voices across the country speaking out against the growing violence targeting children. Today, as Belize observes International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, UNICEF Belize is adding its voice, calling for urgent action to protect the nation’s young people from these senseless acts.

 

Michelle Segura-McGann, Child Protection Officer,

“It’s focus is to serve as a reminder that children all over the world continue to be victims of abuse, exploitation, violence, neglect, and other forms of harm. So while this day is, um, was originally, uh, created for children who are victims of war and armed conflict, um, it can serve as an opportunity to reflect on violence in all its forms and how children are affected globally, including in Belize.”

 

Child abuse takes many forms, physical, sexual, and emotional, and recent cases have raised alarm nationwide. In response, the government is moving to create a public sex offenders registry and has approved closed-door testimony for survivors, aiming to reduce fear and protect victims. Today in Cabinet, Caribbean Shores Area Representative Kareem Musa explained why these steps are critical.

 

Kareem Musa, Area Representative, Caribbean Shores 

“International conventions support the protection of vulnerable victims and witnesses through privacy measures in judicial proceedings. In particular, the United States conventions on the rights of a child requires that the privacy of children involved in legal proceedings must be respected. while the United Nations guidelines on justice in matters involving child victims and witnesses of crimes recommend that proceedings involving child victims and witnesses be conducted in a manner that protects their privacy including through the use of in camera hearings.”

 

In 2024, Belize made a pledge focused on prevention. Guided by that commitment, the country has since developed a national action plan to end violence against children, with support from UNICEF and the Department of Human Services. Child Protection Officer, Michelle Segura-McGann tells us how Belize is working closely to advance the End Violence Against Children agenda.

 

Michelle Segura-McGann

“It really is heavy on prevention and making sure that the services are in place  from a holistic approach. So it ensures that the Department of Human Services, education, health are all involved in this coordinated and integrated response, because that’s the only way that we will be able to prevent violence, from a coordinated inter-agency approach.”

 

As public concerns over crimes against children in Belize have prompted stronger action, UNICEF stepped in to support the fight against abuse. The Blue Teddy Bear initiative launched earlier this year as training aimed at helping them identify warning signs and report cases more effectively. It’s one step closer to safeguarding its most vulnerable citizens. Musa says the public sex offender registry will only further this cause.

 

Kareem Musa

“When it comes to the public having access to the national date of base of sex offenders, I know that is one that has attracted a lot of public debate, but I believe that it putting it in the hands of the public to have access can only create greater measures of safety and security for families and their children.”

 

Violence against children remains a serious issue in Belize and government action alone isn’t enough. UNICEF is urging Belizeans to stay alert, speak up, and step in when they see signs of abuse, reminding communities that protecting children is everyone’s responsibility. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

UNICEF says violent discipline remains widespread in Belize, affecting sixty-three percent of children today, down only slightly from sixty-five percent in 2015. While there’s some progress, the numbers show much more needs to be done to protect children.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

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