Police and B.D.F. Join Forces on the Rights of the Child

Fifteen members of the Belize Security Forces have completed a two-week training programme on the rights of children to build their capacity when it comes to dealing with youth who come in conflict with the law or who are victims. The train the trainers programme will see the police officers and soldiers go back to their respective institutions and teach their peers about the best practices when dealing with children while on the job. News Five’s Duane Moody was at the closing ceremony today and files this report.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Part-two of a ‘train the trainers’ workshop for members of the Belize Security Forces concluded after two weeks of information sharing on children’s rights. A closing ceremony for the fifteen participating officers from the Belize Defense Force and the Police Department was held at the Inspiration Centre in Belize City. The capacity building initiative was specifically for security personnel who interact with children and youth.

Gerald Westby

Gerald Westby, Retired ComPol & Co-Facilitator

“The project entailed drafting a course on child rights which will be integrated into the curricula of police and B.D.F. academies. And the training of trainers who will eventually support the delivery of this course in their respective institutions. The training of trainers was conducted in two phases. Consultants facilitated the delivery of all modules in the manual and then participants took turns facilitating sections of the manual, obtaining feedback from their peers and the consultants. We took a field trip to Princess Royal Youth Hostel and Wagner’s Youth Facility where participants were able to interact firsthand with the youth at risk at these different facilities and that was a really wonderful experience to see the participants and the youth interacting.”

Brigadier General Steven Ortega says that while today marks the end of the training for the officers and soldiers, it is also the beginning of them putting the skills they’ve learnt into practice.

Steven Ortega

Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega, Commander, B.D.F.

“You all will be expected to put into use what was learnt over the past four days and the first phase of this training. Some of the topics covered in a broad sense is the child and by this I mean understanding the development of a child brain and the adverse effects such as neglect trauma and abuse could have on their development. You also touched on the five C’s on positive youth development: competence, connection, confidence, character and contribution/caring. We as security forces have a critical role to play in the system along with the other departments such as the courts, human services, legal assistance, the Ombudsman, custodial institutions and other N.G.O.s. We all have a part to play in the protection of our children.”

To assist the new trainers with carrying out their mandate, the officers and soldiers have access to legislation and treaties that Belize has ratified. To protect the rights of children is protecting the future of the country. The knowledge acquired will allow them to arrest and combat the violation of the rights of a child.

Michel Guinand

Michel Guinand, Programme Coordinator, UNICEF

“Children and young people in Belize are particularly vulnerable to violence and abuse in their homes, on their way to school, at school, in the playground; in fact, in all the different public and domestic settings. In fact, as you have seen, abuse can also come from people in their own family, neighbours, people they should trust. Notwithstanding this, children are also being impacted by security arrangements; security-related incidents like coming in conflict with the law or simply having to recall and recount incidences of violence and abuse against them can have significant negative impact on them and throughout all their lives. On their emotional and psychological stability and development, implications may also be acute for younger children who may at times are too young to fully grasp what is happening to them.”

Duane Moody for News Five.