Human Services speaks on the increase in crimes against children – Love FM Belize News & Music Power

There has been a disturbing increase in crimes against children. In the past two weeks, three separate incidents of minors being sexually abused have been reported, two of which involved family members. On Saturday, a Stann Creek District man was caught sexually abusing his 12-year-old stepdaughter, whose mother and 13-year-old sister had left for church. The attacker was found naked with the child in a house in Santa Cruz. He is accused of raping both minors after a medical examination revealed that they were carnally known. The incident follows a minor report to San Pedro police last Thursday that her stepfather had raped her three times. This followed yet another case in which a Belize City man was charged with raping a child. These cases have sparked outrage among many Belizeans and put into perspective the need for parents to pay more attention to their children. Human Services Director Sean Vargas spoke about the increase and what is being done to help victims.

Sean Vargas, Director of Human Services: “For us, it is heartbreaking that we are seeing an increase in what is currently happening in our society. Well, every referral that comes into the department, whether it’s from the police department or from a family member or someone who just knows what’s happening, the department considers it a priority to go ahead and do an investigation and make any communication or contact deal with those who do. are important for the system or for the process of operation of the child protection system. And so with what has happened, we are certainly in contact with the key players and stakeholders responsible for the interests of children. So once the case is referred, as I said, our social workers who are also trained, the first phase of crisis intervention begins to help the clients we come into contact with and once the case is resolved, we refer to our professional therapist who provides the level of psychosocial support for everyone in our system, especially those who are sexually abused.”

Vargas also spoke of the need for parents to carefully consider leaving their children in the care of relatives and to listen to their children.

Sean Vargas, Director of Human Services: “Parents need to trust the children in the way they communicate and parents need to communicate with children. Instead of talking down to children, communicate with your children. Especially those old enough to understand what’s going on. Talking to children and introducing them to certain issues in society at an early stage mainly helps the trust component. You have to trust what your children say to you and you have to trust and know who you are leaving your children with. I know this is a difficult part for us to deal with because sometimes we just don’t know, but we need to understand the importance of what is happening right now. And so when it comes to moving with your kids, that’s understandable. If the point is to have a competent family member or friend who will be there for you and provide the level of care and support, then that is the route you choose. But communication is very important. We need to know how to talk to our children and we need to understand the gestures and language, what makes them uncomfortable, what makes them want to refuse communication or contact with relatives, friends, brothers and sisters, and then we need to respect that part. We don’t force children to do things because it’s convenient for us that you have to look at their comfort level and that’s the biggest part of what we need to understand. I know we live in a family-oriented society, but when your kids say, “I don’t want to be with this person.”, “I don’t want to go there.” show a certain degree of resistance, then you listen. You listen with a keen ear.”

Vargas noted that the department has been able to assist police in filing charges against parents found complicit in their child’s abuse. ///