Domestic Violence

Doctor Love is the islands, and possibly the world’s greatest authority on just about everything. The Doctor answers questions concerning any subject except religion or politics. Persons needing additional assistance or counseling should contact Family Services Division at 227-7541. The opinions herein are not necessarily of The San Pedro Sun. Write Doctor Love at PO Box 51, San Pedro Town, Belize, or email: [email protected]

The crime scene in Belize has undergone significant changes when comparing the third quarters of 2023 and 2024, particularly regarding domestic violence and homicide. An analysis by the Belize Police Department focuses on these two categories to illustrate differences in crime rates.

Domestic violence is a controlling and coercive behavior that can include physical abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, or financial abuse. Many people suffer silently from various forms of domestic violence. In Belize, the patriarchal societal structure has led to a concerning statistic – 50% of Belizean women report being victims of intimate partner violence during their adult lives. This high proportion signifies that half of the women in Belize aged eighteen and over have experienced domestic violence but have not reported it. To highlight the plight of the substantial number of battered women in Belize, suggested ways exist for society to become more proactive and responsive to these victims' dire circumstances.

San Pedro’s Hope Haven donated supplies to the San Pedro Police Formation to help the island force better tend to female detainees. The goods consist of hygienic products and other essential items to meet the needs of females when held at the police station.

Recent news reports support what, as a society, we already know: far too many women and children are victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Belize Network of Non-Governmental Organizations joins in the condemnation of these acts. Fully cognizant that no one entity can grapple with the various aspects related to domestic and sexual violence, the BNN publicly commits itself to participating in a renewed collective response to identify targeted actions to address these issues.

In a rare occurrence, the Belizean Parliament joined forces on Friday, February 4th, during the Sitting of the House, and agreed on new legislation against gender-based domestic violence. The Bill sets out specific measures the government will take against this issue. The motion responded to the increasing reports of domestic abuse, including the recent allegation of abuse made against former UDP Leader of the Opposition Patrick Faber. 

Domestic violence has been an ongoing issue affecting communities across the globe. The recent events involving public figures, such as the case between the Leader of the Opposition (LOO) and his fiancée, leave no doubt that this issue affects everyone in society. In San Pedro Town, stakeholders have launched initiatives such as Hope Haven Children’s Home and the Hope Haven Domestic Violence Outreach Center to tackle this concern and guide victims safely out of unhealthy situations.

Leader of the Opposition and the United Democratic Party, Honourable Patrick Faber, announced his resignation on Monday, January 24th, via Facebook. Both concessions are to become effective on January 31, 2022. Faber remains Area Representative for the Collet Constituency in the Belize District.