Officials act against sexual exploitation by tourists
The crime of rape, as noted earlier in this newscast, is not exactly uncommon in Belize. But carnal assaults are not the only category of crimes involving sex. According to officials in the tourism industry, a new and particularly exploitive type of prostitution is rearing its ugly head in areas frequented by visitors.
Andrew Godoy, Executive Director, B.T.I.A.
?But we realize that with the increase in cruise tourism, with the increase we were seeing in the last years the activities has picked up some. To the point where reports were tour guides and taxi drivers were involved in activities as it relates to the sexual exploitation of our young children. So yes, we have had reports that suggest that this incident has picked up in recent years.?
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Hit me on the Hips is no new dance craze. The phrase refers to the latest practice of high school girls being text messaged on their cell phones. The reason? Sex with tourists. The interested visitor arrives in the country makes contact with a taxi driver who then sends the text message to the girl at school. As dramatized in this advertisement from Youth Enhancement Services the student then illness to leave class.
Andrew Godoy
?They get sick and leave school and would be picked up by these taxi drivers, and would be taken to whatever location. Sometimes right there, maybe in the vehicle to meet up with tourists, but it is sad and it is very disturbing. While the problem I guess is not big or not such a major problem that it is out of control as yet, I think that we do realize that it is a concern.?
Belize Tourism Industry Association Executive Director Andrew Godoy says they have been working with authorities and schools to address the issue.
Andrew Godoy
?Most schools do not allow cell phones to be used in schools which is very good. I think maybe that is something all schools should encourage or discourage I should say you know, the use of cell phones within, on the school premises.?
Godoy admits that the overall problem of sexual exploitation in the travel and tourism industry is a challenge and that it will take a compressive approach to tackle the problem.
The latest initiative involves six commitments signed by industry stakeholders to work in partnership with the international organization ECPAT, End Child Prostitution in Tourism to prevent such abuses in Belize. The signatories are expected to operate by a code of conduct to combat what is commonly known as child sex tourism or CST.
Amaya Renobales, Project Director, ECPAT?USA
?So they have to train all the staff members of each company. Tour operators, travel agencies, hotels and all the tourism industry, so that they are aware–every one of the staff–of every hotel should know that it is a crime and that it is not normal. If a tourist comes with a little child or an adolescent they should be aware if something is going on or not.?
The United States Embassy which has received calls of concern on the issue, has in place its own regulations to protect Belize children from being exploited especially by American citizens who have been in the country a short time and then go in to the embassy to request a visa for a Belizean child.
Cindy Gregg, Consular/Charge de? Affairs, U.S. Embassy
?Sometimes we have couples come in and say we were just here for a little while, and we met this family and now we are going take the child up. We have to talk to the parents we interview the parents separately. We ask them do you know these people? What do these people do? Do they have other children? Were you given money to allow your child to go to the states? It?s a no right off especially if they cannot give us any substantial information about the people.?
If something is amiss the U.S embassy then works closely with the Ministry of Human Services to further investigate the case. At today?s launch, Minister of Tourism Godfrey Smith supported the measures taken by ECPAT, B.T.I.A. and the hotel association.
Godfrey Smith, Minister of Tourism
?We must also assist, we at the B.T.B. working in conjunction with the B.T.I.A. and others to ensure that educational campaign, that training extends to many of the stakeholders in Belize if we are to be. Comprehensive in our approach.?
?Certainly we at the ministry and at the Belize Tourism Board have had communication with the Belize Tourism Police and we have pointed out to them that we consider it a matter that they must pay very careful attention to.?
Andrew Godoy
?What this signing of the code will do is create awareness and to maybe get our law enforcement agency more active. In terms of addressing this problem, and preventing it from even increasing further.?
Today twenty-five people signed agreement but B.T.I.A. expects that number to increase significantly in the coming months.
