Tonight, five young men, including three minors, have learned their fate in a case that sparked national outrage. It all stems from a disturbing viral video showing a group of teens brutally attacking a horse with machetes. The footage shocked the country, and today, the courtroom was packed as sentencing was handed down. The Senior Magistrate described the act as “an unprovoked attack on a helpless animal.” While the three minors received a one-year suspended sentence, one sixteen-year-old was ordered to complete a series of strict conditions, including community service, counseling, and anger management. The two adults, both nineteen, were fined. The court heard emotional pleas from family members who described the boys as lifelong animal lovers, a stark contrast to the violence captured on video.
As Belize’s population grows older, a silent crisis is taking shape, one that’s often hidden behind closed doors. Elder abuse is becoming a serious concern, and the numbers are more than just troubling. According to the National Council on Ageing, one in six older adults in Belize is likely to face some form of abuse: whether it’s physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or even financial. What makes this issue even more heartbreaking is that it often happens at the hands of those they trust most, family members or caregivers. In close-knit communities, where speaking out can feel impossible, many elders suffer in silence. And with no national system in place to track these cases, it’s hard to know just how widespread the problem really is. Tonight, we take a closer look at why raising awareness about elder abuse isn’t just important, it’s urgent.
Ix-Chel Poot
Ix-Chel Poot, Exec. Dir., National Council on Ageing
“So one of the things that we do see is that as we become older, we become almost invisible. We stop interacting as mush with the community and people stop asking us what are the things that we need. So, by educating older persons about their rights and the different types of abuse, we strengthen their voice. By having organizations out here like Helpage, we give them a network to connect to so that there’s more visibility. So it’s extremely important for all of us, as we’re ageing, that we are able to engage, remain a part of the community. That’s why the popups are in a public space, so it’s to capture you, bring you out and let you see what is in place for you. I just like to encourage all our viewers to be mindful of the older persons in their life, take an interest, check up and be aware of some of the challenges that older persons face.”
