Tackling Allegations of Sexual Misconduct in the Military

Like many organization, the B.D.F. has its share of allegations of sexual misconduct.  At times, a culture of silence made it difficult for women in uniform to come forward with their stories. The new commander says he has been working on changing policies on reporting, and these can now be taken to the police.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, Belize Defense Force

“Since those allegations, I was quietly behind the scenes saying that we cannot continue to function the way we were functioning, we were treating the allegations of rape and sexual harassment internally. I was providing advice until situation got out of control, I gotta admit. The situation got out of control that our policies were reviewed and now we have a different policy and it’s a policy that catered for the individual. If the person that is alleging rape, if she or he wants to go to the police, they are afforded that right now.”

Brigadier General Azariel Loria

Marleni Cuellar

“So that’s a policy change that has been made.”

Brigadier General Azariel Loria

“Yes, that’s a major policy change and that person has the right to go to the police, or if he or she doesn’t want to go to the police because of X,Y,Z reasons then we can treat internally, too, as well. And, we have all confidence that we could deal with it internally, as well, because such were the changes that we could deal with it either internally or externally so that the person can get satisfaction in our way of doing things with disciplinary proceedings.”