Internal Probe Initiated: BDF Investigates Attempted Rape Allegation at Price Barracks

The Brigadier General of the Belize Defence Force says an internal investigation is ongoing after a civilian employee at Price Barracks reported that she is the victim of an attempted rape.  The story broke on February 22 this year, when the worker said she was inside a building near the chapel when she was accosted, but had managed to escape.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, Belize Defence Force: “That happened about a month ago. Yes. We have a female, she’s a civilian that was allegedly attempted to – we do not know if it is rape or sexual harassment at this time, the investigation is still ongoing. She reported it to the police department and we are conducting our internal investigation. I am yet to have a look at it but that is as far as I could say. We have not been able to verify who did it because we have the contractors working there and it was somewhere nearby where the employees that have their makeshift buildings where the incident occurred. She was sent to the Force Wellness Center for counseling but there was a transfer in progress and she has now been transferred. She got transferred to somewhere in the treasury department as I understand.”

According to the victim, she was on the base in her temporary makeshift office when a man dressed in dark clothing and a face covering entered and attacked her.  She had subsequently made a report to the Ladyville Police Station.