Belize Defence Force Takes Steps to Combat Sexual Assault Within Its Ranks

The Belize Defence Force hopes that training and more stringent policies will reduce the occurrence of sexual assault within the force. For years, the military has been plagued with disturbing reports of rape and sexual assault, which often go unreported. The force is now working to rid itself of that perception and has partnered with the Ministry of Human Development to fast-track the efforts. Minister of Defence and Border Security Florencio Marin Jr says the force’s recent participation in training centered on sexual assault underscores its commitment to fixing the issue. 

Florencio Marin Jr. Minister of National Defence and Border Security: “We have found in our ministry that these types of trainings have to be ongoing. So we can’t do one training then it’s all solved. It’s all part of trying to change the culture of it and so we need to sensitize our soldiers, our male and female soldiers to be able to know how to operate within the boundaries because they’re working together. It is an active process where even working with Minister Dolores to be able to get professional help so that these things can be minimized. To tell you again that we will eliminate them I can’t, I wish. But to be on top of it yes and as you know we have a zero tolerance policy so whichever solider we find in breach of that they will be addressed.”

Marin added that other measures geared at promoting gender equality are being implemented.