BELIZEAN CHILDREN SEXUALLY EXPLOITED, ILO/IPEC SAYS

UNCLAS BELIZE 000970 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN (MACK),WHA/PPC (PUCCETTI) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI KOCI KCRM BH SUBJECT: BELIZEAN CHILDREN SEXUALLY EXPLOITED, ILO/IPEC SAYS -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. According to the National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC the results of its study on the commercial sexual exploitation of child and adolescents (CSEC) in Belize Q conducted in cooperation with the International Labour OfficeQs (ILO) International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) Q not only confirm the existence of CSEC in Belize, but also highlight the shortfalls in the countryQs response to the problem. The research reveals that poverty is a major factor in CSEC and that, contrary to popular belief, most abusers are Belizean rather than foreign. Because BelizeQs laws and social system do not currently address CSEC, ILO/IPEC recommends changes in the areas of prevention, legislation, and capacity building. Relevant GoB agenci local NGOs, and international organizations will have to work together invest significant amounts of time and resources to ensure successful implementation of any reforms. End summary. -------------- What Is CSEC? -------------- ¶2. ILO/IPEC describes CSEC as Qthe use of persons under the age of 18 for paid sexual relations or for child and adolescent pornography, or the use of boys, girls and adolescents for sex shows or videos.Q Some form of economic exchange or payment Q either to the child or adolescen or to an intermediary Q must also be present. Client-exploiters will p in cash, but many also pay for food, school fees, utility bills, or ren ¶3. On October 26, the National Committee for Families and Children (NC announced the results of its study on the commercial sexual exploitatio children and adolescents (CSEC) in Belize. Representatives from the Go (Ministries of Human Development, Education, and Labour),local NGOs (Y Enhancement Services),international organizations (UNICEF),police and media attended the presentation. The study, conducted in cooperation w the International Labour OfficeQs (ILO) International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC),revealed not only that CSEC exists in Belize, but that in many instances it is tolerated and parents are complicit in the crime. ¶4. NCFC Chairperson Sandra Hall noted that while Belize is a signatory several international conventions Q including the Convention on the Rig of the Child and ILO Convention 182 on the Elimination of the Worst For of Child Labour Q the country is failing its children. During his keyn address Valdemar Castillo, Minister of State in the Ministry of Educati and Labour, stated that the study confirmed what many Belizeans already suspected and pledged to do more to combat CSEC. Researchers offered a number of recommendations to ensure the protection of children and adol in Belize. -------------- Methodology -------------- ¶5. Researchers hoped the study would enable them to identify the characteristics of CSEC and understand the related risk factors. At th same time, the study was devised to gauge the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of adults Q particularly males Q about CSEC and assess the countryQs ability to address the problem. ¶6. To gain a better grasp of CSEC, researchers reviewed relevant docum (such as newspaper articles, policy papers, and periodic reports on international conventions); interviewed key service providers within th public, civil society, and private sectors; observed activity in areas considered to have a high prevalence of CSEC; and interviewed a total o 56 adults and 30 children under the age of 18. Staffing and resource limitations prohibited a country-wide survey; instead, researchers focu on the Belize District (which includes Belize City, the countryQs most populous city),Cayo District (which includes Belmopan, the capital),a Orange Walk (an area known for its bars and brothels). The interviews conducted by psychiatric, rural, and community health nurses living and working in the three areas. Each nurse also received training to ensur their sensitivity to gender and human rights issues. -------------- Who Are the Victims and Abusers? -------------- ¶7. Researchers surveyed 30 victims of CSEC, both male and female, and that while this number is not representative of BelizeQs population, th results offer insight into the victimsQ experiences. Most of the victi surveyed were 16-17 years old, poor, and under-educated. Many lived wi only one parent or were raised by another family member; some did not k or no longer had a relationship with their fathers. Most of the victim paid for sexual intercourse, although some were solicited for other CSE activities such as nude dancing, photography, or film. The study also that the victimsQ parents are sometimes complicit, encouraging their ch to engage in the activity to pay for rent, school books, or other expen ¶8. Researchers questioned 56 adults in Belize District, Cayo District, Walk to determine their perceptions about CSEC. While the majority of believed that children and adolescents engage in CSEC to alleviate pove also blamed the victims. Many of those surveyed believe the victims la morals or actually enjoy sexual exploitation. Some also blamed adults, that adults have bad morals or create a demand for CSEC. Most survey r knew of places in their home districts where CSEC activities occur and or heard of people involved in CSEC. Finally, although the majority of said they would do something (call police, talk to an adult) if they le or saw CSEC activity, in reality only 11 had ever denounced CSEC activi ¶9. Contrary to the popular belief that CSEC is a crime committed by fo ILO/IPEC reports that only eight of the 30 victims stated that their client-exploiters were foreign tourists or foreign men residing in Beli The majority of client-exploiters were Belizean men between the ages of ¶50. After engaging 44 men in focus groups in different parts of the co the researchers found common themes. These men rationalize the sexual exploitation of children by making a distinction between sex with prepu and pubescent children. Once a child passes the Q90-pound testQ (i.e., the child weighs more than 90 pounds and is, therefore, physically deve then sex with him/her becomes acceptable. In addition, the study descr Belize as a patriarchal culture where greater priority is given to fulf the manQs needs Q at any cost. Finally, the study reports that these a will even deflect responsibility onto the child, arguing that the victi QtemptedQ or QseducedQ them. -------------- An QIntegralQ Part of Belize Society -------------- ¶10. Several local NGOs, such as Youth Enhancement Services and YWCA, r that commercial sexual exploitation is common among young Belizean wome describe the activity as an integral part of Belize society. Two commo modes of operation are Qhit me on the hipQ and Qdalla wap.Q QHit me on hipQ refers to the practice of girls Q many of whom are still in school who receive cellular phone text messages from an intermediary alerting to a meeting with a client-exploiter. These girls will then find a way meet the client, even if this means pretending to be ill to be released school. QDalla wapQ refers to the popular fried chicken sold by Chines for as little as BZ$1.00. (Note: US$1 equals BZ$2. End note). In th children provide commercial sex services in exchange for fried chicken food. -------------- Belize Not There Yet -------------- ¶11. Belize is signatory to several international conventions and instr that address child abuse and childrenQs rights. In addition, the Natio of Action for Children and Adolescents in Belize 2004-2015 recognizes C a problem and aims to reduce the incidence of all forms of child abuse percent. Problems remain, however, in the countryQs legislation. For the law contains inconsistencies in the definition of a child. The Lab defines a child as under the age of 14 while the Convention on the Righ the Child (ratified by Belize) defines a child as under the age of 18. addition, the laws use language like Qknown immoral characterQ or Qcomm prostituteQ that can prejudice the case against the victim. Belize law gender-biased and assume that only females can be raped or sexually exp The Evidence Act does not allow children under the age of 7 to give evi even when they are capable of doing so, and requires corroboration in c carnal knowledge involving children Q but not for other victims of sex Finally, the Criminal Code imposes different penalties for sexual offen on the age of the child. For example, a convicted perpetrator of inces sentenced to 7 years imprisonment if the victim is between the ages of 18, or 12 years to life imprisonment if the victim is under the age of ¶12. The commercialization of sexual activity is not addressed in the l Instead, most sexual offenses against children are classified as Qcarna knowledgeQ (defined as sexual relations with a female child under the a or Qunlawful carnal knowledgeQ (defined as sexual relations with a fema between the ages of 14 and 16). Convictions in these cases are few. S gathered from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions indicat from 2002 to 2005, only 8 percent of unlawful carnal knowledge cases an percent of carnal knowledge cases resulted in convictions. The rest we dropped by the prosecution (due to lack of evidence or withdrawal of th by the parent) or resulted in acquittals. ¶13. The report highlights other institutional challenges in responding financial and human resource constraints limit institutionsQ ability to to, counsel, or assist CSEC victims or those at risk; a lack of effecti management and coordination among the institutions in the child protect and a lack of training for prosecutors, police, social workers and medi officers to ensure an effective response to CSEC. -------------- Recommendations -------------- ¶14. ILO/IPECQs recommendations are divided into three key areas: prev CSEC, legal reform, and strengthening institutions. Prevention of CSEC: Belizeans must first recognize CSEC as a crime rat a culturally acceptable practice and then their behavior has to change. suggests behavioral change programs targeting men that stress more posi concepts of masculinity and encourage respect for human rights and resp sexual behavior. Sexual and reproductive health education should be ma available to children of all ages, and human rights and gender equality education should be mainstreamed throughout the Belizean school system. At the same time, the government of Belize (GoB) must make child protec a priority and develop economic assistance programs that target familie in poverty. Legal Reform: Researchers suggest developing one law which amends all legislation related to crimes of sexual violence against children and a the existing gaps. The law should: - criminalize the commercial sexual exploitation of children under the - harmonize the legal definition of a child; - remove prejudicial concepts of morality from the law; - be gender-neutral to protect boys as well as girls; - protect witnesses and children; - make evidentiary procedures more child-friendly; and - institute stiffer penalties for perpetrators. Strengthening Institutions: The study recommends the development of a Victims Unit within the police department, staffed with police officers been trained to deal with CSEC cases and victims. Social workers shoul receive training, and their numbers increased, so that they can strengt ability to respond to and manage CSEC cases. Finally, service provider relevant institutions must develop resources (counseling, education, he assist CSEC victims and those who are at risk. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶15. The ILO/IPEC study is the first to focus specifically on the comme sexual exploitation of children in Belize. Although the sample size w the study exposes many of the perceptions and misconceptions about the and perpetrators of this crime. Local and international organizations as GoB agencies Q already involved in childrenQs rights and human right in Belize welcomed the studyQs results as confirmation of a problem tha long been ignored. While the initial reaction is important, the implem is key and this is often where Belize falls short. The studyQs recomme will require significant commitments in time, personnel, and finances. DIETER