Our Children Need Our Help – “Championing the rights, welfare and development of Belizean families and children”
Our children remain under attack by those who should be in the position of keeping them safe. The National Committee for Families and Children notes with dismay the latest incident in which a five-year-old girl was raped. This is just one more instance where we have failed our most vulnerable.
The National Committee for Families and Children has been working tirelessly to highlight the fact that as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, we have the responsibility to do all we can as a nation to keep our children protected so they can enjoy the rights afforded them.
Article 19 of the Convention speaks to the right of the child to be protected while Article 34 speaks of the right to be free from sexual abuse.
The NCFC continues to call on parents to play their role in keeping children safe from harm. It is imperative that we talk to our children about topics such as “good touch, bad touch” in such as way that they feel comfortable to report instances of abuse to adults. We also need the State to play its part to ensure that proper laws are in place to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
On Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at about 8:50 a.m., the mother of a 5-year-old female child, reported to police that on Monday, October 15, 2018, sometime between 8:30 p.m., and 8:45 p.m., she left her home to purchase food leaving the baby alone and asleep. Upon returning home, her daughter approached her crying, whilst enquiring the child indicated to her that her stepfather had hurt her. A medical examination was conducted and medical officer certified that the child was Carnally Known. Police formally arrested and charged a 31-year-old Salvadorian National for Rape of a Child.
**Please note that the name of the alleged accused is withheld to protect the identity of the child.
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