Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill to be Presented in House Amid Rise in Offenses

An Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill is scheduled to be taken before the House of Representatives next week in Belmopan.  The Bill comes at a time when the news cycles have seen an increase of several offences of a sexual nature, particularly against minors and women.  The Bill is for an Act to make new and robust provisions for the prevention and protection of persons from, sexual harassment; to provide for a right of redress for any person who has been sexually harassed; to repeal the Protection against Sexual Harassment Act, Chapter 107 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020.  In an interview with Police Commissioner Chester Williams, he conceded that there has been an uptick in cases of a sexual nature.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “That we have to make sure we send a strong signal to those persons who are constantly abusing children. Our children are our most vital assets that we have as a country and we have to ensure that they are taken care of in every respect. And so when we do have these complaints where children are the victims then we must do what needs to be done to address it as swiftly as we possibly can. I’m hoping that the charge of the defendant today for cruelty to a child is going to send that message to all those other perpetrators out there to understand that you must stay off our children. If you do that, then we’re coming after you.”

The next House Meeting is set for Thursday, May 30.