A New Strategy to Tackle Domestic Violence

Edward Broaster

There were one hundred and forty-four murders in 2018; thirty-eight of those were directly related to nightclubs or bar incidents. The rest was split between gang rivalries and domestic disputes. The latter, in recent times, has gradually become a prevalent motive behind homicides across the country. Earlier this week, there was a meeting between representatives from the police department and the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation as well as the Special Envoy for Women and Children. In an effort to reduce the level of violent crimes as a result of domestic violence, Deputy ComPol Edward Broaster highlights what the department has been instructed to do operationally to address this.

Edward Broaster, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations)

“He has directed the Belize Police Department to ensure that whenever there is a report of domestic violence to the police that the perpetrator is charged and taken to the court. If the victim goes to court and say I don’t want no court action then that is on their own. But they will not be able to say that the police knew about this and the police didn’t do anything because many a times it is the victim that refuses to cooperate with the police and ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted.”