BELIZE: AWARENESS CAMPAIGN CITED AS SUCCESSFUL IN

UNCLAS BELIZE 000331 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN - JASON MACK DEPT FOR WHA/PPC - MICHAEL PUCCETTI DEPT FOR INL/GTIP - LINDA BROWN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KWMN SOCI PGOV PREL PINR BH SUBJECT: BELIZE: AWARENESS CAMPAIGN CITED AS SUCCESSFUL IN TRAFFICKING ARREST ¶1. (U) Local media outlets have reported the arrest and charging of a 69 year old German-born naturalized Belizean on rape and two counts of trafficking-in-persons charges. On April 10, Henry Stein was charged for having sexual relations and taking nude photographs of a 12 year old girl on two occasions. Stein was granted bail for $5,000 USD and ordered to surrender his travel documents. The case is scheduled for a May 12 trial. ¶2. (SBU) In a recent discussion with POLOFF, Belizean Trafficking Tzar Ambassador Balderamos-Garcia credited a current awareness campaign being run by a local NGO Youth Enhancement Services (YES),with UNICEF support, as a reason that the young victim came forward. YES is the newest member of Balderamos-Garcia's National Anti-Trafficking Committee (REF: BELIZE 200). YES's ad runs during prime time evening viewing and features a secondary school girl victimized by an older male in his 30s. ¶3. (SBU) The awareness ad features a high school girl in class who receives a call from a man (According to YES, presumably on a phone that the man bought) arranging for a sexual tryst. The message is intended to encourage young girls to protect themselves against sexual predators and pimps. The message is designed on the basis of the experiences of YES at its two south-side Belize City assistance centers for "at risk young women" (defined by YES as impoverished, vulnerable, and pregnant girls). Notably, rape cases involving girls under 16 receive wide, front page, press coverage. Youth rape (defined locally as unlawful carnal knowledge) is seen as a hot topic in Belize. Several publications, most notably the widely read Amandala, regularly feature editorials and op/ed pieces on rape cases. ¶4. Post POC for Trafficking issues is POLOFF Brian S. DaRin, email: darinbs@state.gov; Tel: 011-501-227-7161 ext. 205 MOSS