Abuse Allegation at Youth Facility Sparks Dual Investigations

Investigations are underway after a minor was allegedly assaulted at the New Beginnings Youth Development Centre in the Belize District. The Ministry of Human Development, Family Support, and Gender Affairs has condemned the act, saying that it holds a zero-tolerance policy for corporal punishment and violence against children. The ministry says that upon learning of the incident on July 15, the Ministry immediately ensured the minor received medical attention. Minister Thea Garcia Ramirez told Love News that there are two investigations happening simultaneously into the matter. 

Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister of Human Development: “For clarity there’s two investigations that are ongoing. First is the internal investigation that we are doing at the ministry to garner all the information needed and that information will be used for the disciplinary actions for staff, primarily the two staff that were involved and then to see who else needs to if anybody else was involved. I’m not sure about that. Number two, that investigation will lead us to basically look at the process for reporting, look at the situation that led up to those events and then we would be able to see what we need to do perhaps and just off the top of my head from what I have seen so far I know we need to do a lot of staff training. The second investigation that is being done is through police because immediately as it happened it was reported to the supervisors at the home and then of course following the guidelines and the protocols in place the child was taken to the nearest clinic and then the child was taken to the police station. So a formal police report was done immediately and the child has already been seen by medical professionals. We will continue to ensure that the child is restored to full health and that we are able to do all we can to restore him to health that he had before this incident occurred.”

The child was taken to the Hattieville Police Station on July 16 to make an official report. The minister says that swift and stern action is being taken, and that the two employees believed to be involved should be terminated by this evening. 

Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister of Human Development: “Already the ministry has moved quickly, swiftly. The two staff members were put on administrative leave immediately, they were not allowed back on the compound and the process for their termination had started from last week. I am assured that it will be completed by today so they’re not coming back to the home. So that is immediate because as you’ve said and as I’ve mentioned to you and other members of the media we have a zero tolerance policy that will not be condoned, encouraged or countenanced under any circumstances. By the end of the day those people will have gotten their termination letters. So we move on from there. As to what we can do we have to be very vigilant and continue to monitor very closely. We also have a series of camera and camera footage that will aid us so that staff knows that we are monitoring closely. So that helps us a lot, the infrastructure, I believe we will continue to widen the net of these camera surveillances because apparently we’re catching a lot of things that need to be addressed and addressed immediately.”

The New Beginnings Youth Development Centre is currently undergoing a comprehensive reform of its policies, procedures, and programs, with support from international partners.