Senator Pitts Challenges Belizeans to Confront Abuse

In a passionate address, UDP Senator Sheena Pitts delivered a passionate plea to Belizeans, urging them to confront domestic violence, reject stigma around psychosocial support, and demand meaningful action from government institutions.

“Stop being so judgemental about needing psychosocial support,” Pitts said, stressing the need for empathy and early intervention. She called on the Ministry of Education to teach respectful relationships and gender education in schools.

Pitts highlighted the long-term effects of childhood abuse. “Children who are in families where their mom is taking a ‘lick’ or their dad is taking a ‘lick’, turn out to be men and women who either receive ‘lick’ or give ‘lick’. Bullies in school come from families who that bully experience some form of abuse. How is it not recognized that the education must start from early and find itself on the curriculum?”

Her call to action included training teachers and counsellors in gender-based violence referral procedures and implementing sexual harassment protocols in schools.

She further criticised failures in protective systems, referencing Angelita Magaña’s tragic death. “Because she did what the law said she must do, but where was the follow-up and follow-through?”

Pitts stressed that ending gender-based violence requires both personal responsibility and a broader cultural shift. “This is life. This is what we are living every day,” she said. “Stop pretending like we don’t see it. Stop being desensitised by it.”