Domestic Violence Response Strengthened with JP Training

Tonight, a long-promised step toward protecting victims of domestic violence is finally becoming reality. After months of delay, senior Justices of the Peace are now being trained to issue emergency protection orders, giving victims critical, immediate support when the courts are closed. This new power, introduced through legislation passed late last year, allows qualified JPs to grant seventy-two-hour safeguards in urgent situations. But getting here hasn’t been easy. Out of nearly three thousand JPs nationwide, only a small group met the strict requirements to take on the role. Now, six months later, thirty have stepped forward, ready to make a difference and help keep Belizeans safe when it matters most. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

After the horrific killing of Angelita Magana and her two children in October 2025, the government fast-tracked new measures to protect domestic abuse victims, especially when the courts are closed. Magana was killed when her ex-partner, Francisco Godoy, set their home on fire, and many believe quicker access to a protection order could have saved their lives. Now, that safeguard is finally taking shape. Thirty Justices of the Peace have been trained to issue emergency protection orders, offering victims immediate help when they need it most. JP Association President Adrian “Danny” Madrid says this move could be a gamechanger for Belizeans in danger.

 

Adrian “Danny” Madrid, President, Association of Justices of the Peace

“Many times, violence against a person is done mostly on weekends and holidays where the judiciary system, the magistrate courts are closed and we have nowhere to go. So we had intensive meetings where we received the complaints because we have to worry about safety of the senior JPs too. So we decided and we finalized that we’ll do it at every police station, even in the villages, go to the police station where there’s a police presence so we have to have that protection because some JPs do not want to do it because they’re afraid of their own self, of violence against them. So, we’re hoping that they do not have to use us, but we want the public to know that you could feel safer.”

 

Madrid explained that the rollout was delayed as they struggled to find JPs that met the requirements. Applicants must have five years’ service as senior officers, a title which requires a decade of experience alone. Additionally, JPs were to have a clean police record. Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre explained how the process will work.

 

Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General

“Let’s say for instance, it’s a Friday evening. You’re able to get a, one of these ex parte interim protection order. What would happen is that, which is why there has to be coordination with the police department and the courts and as well as the human development. What will happen is that the interim  order that is made on the weekend will then be submitted to the court. So on Monday morning, the matter will be assigned to a magistrate who will then review and make a determination as it relates to when we do have what you call inter parties, both parties appear before the court and the further  proceedings take place. So it is an interim mechanism, but a very, very important and critical interim mechanisms which experience has shown can save lives.”

 

Officials also raised concerns about how often victims withdraw complaints against their abusers, causing further delays in the justice process. Minister of Human Development says despite the challenges, Belize must continue to offer support for victims.

 

Thea Ramirez-Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“On average, it takes a person, a survivor, eight times trying to leave a difficult situation before they finally make it. A lot of people don’t make it out alive. So what would I say? I would say keep trying. Keep trying. If it takes you twenty times before you break out of a situation, then we keep trying twenty times with you. Of course it might be a lot of paperwork for the person on the other end taking the reports, but that’s their job.”

 

Justices of the Peace can’t charge for their services, so protection orders are free for victims. Still, the government is offering up to one hundred dollars to cover travel and other basic expenses as JPs carry out the work. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

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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