NWC Intensifies Efforts to Combat Domestic Violence in Belize

The National Women’s Commission (NWC) in Belize has intensified its efforts to combat domestic violence, as recent statistics indicate a troubling rise in cases across the country. There have been many means established in the combat of domestic violence such as legal assistance, counseling, and safe houses for victims. Chair of the NWC, Thea Garcia-Ramirez, alluded to the idea that cases are not necessarily rising, instead, there is a higher level of awareness surrounding the reporting of domestic violence.

Thea Garcia Ramirez, PUP Standard Bearer, Corozal Bay: “One out of every three women that you know will experience violence within their lifetime. And so the explosion of cases may be attributed to just the uptick of the cases but it may also be that we are increasing our reporting. I know that the statistics tell us that only about 40% of cases were being reported as of the last two or three years. And it might be that you’re seeing just an increase in reporting, which we do encourage. One of the things that we, that women don’t do enough is report their cases. We just want to remind the public that there are two types of reporting. One is for immediate police action and the other one is for future reference. Sometimes people come back two, three weeks later when, when they feel strong enough, mentally and physically, because a lot of times there is severe bodily injury. And obviously if you’re lying in a hospital you don’t want anybody to tell you anything about going to court and police and this. We have to, we have to really, we have to, yes, we have to, we have to recognize some of these things after you’ve been traumatized a lot of women need a little, just a little bit of time to make up their mind what it is that they want to do and where they want to go and how they want to proceed. And we have to be very respectful because if we don’t, then we fall into the pattern of revictimization.”

Victims of domestic violence can reach out to the NWC for assistance