Teenage Girl Assaulted; Police Say Victim Needs to Make a Report

A video of two girls assaulting another teenager in Belize City went viral over the weekend. The video, which racked up thousands of views and hundreds of shares on Facebook, was a live post made by one of the attackers. The video shows two young women approaching another girl about some exchange of words that happened some time before.  One of the girls said in the video that their victim will be beaten for what she had said on a previous occasion.  The incident was recorded as it was happening and one of the girls cheered on as her friend repeatedly hit the victim in her face.  Towards the end of the video, it appears that someone tried to intervene.  Today, police told the press that the disturbing video was brought to their attention, but the victim has not made a report. Here’s more from Superintendent Alejandro Cowo on the viral video.

Alejandro Cowo

Supt. Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division

“I have looked at the video and it is very disturbing. This is something that we condemn and we are asking for the persons involved, for the victim to come forward, for the police to get justice for her. That will be the only way that we can deal with the other two persons involved in this fight.”

Reporter

“We know that this person might be intimidated because it appears the person is from her neighborhood or have easy access to her. How would you all handle that situation in terms of making a complaint might provoke these obviously fearless and aggressive persons even more?”

Supt. Alejandro Cowo

“We are cognizant of the risk that the victim might be having probably that is the reason she has not come forward but there are many ways we can deal with her and speak with her in regards to if she is being threatened or anything is being done to her for her not to come and give a statement.”