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