BDF Confirms Medical Examination in Soldier Sexual Assault Investigation

Following up on Love News’ report regarding a Belize Defence Force soldier’s complaint of rape at Fairweather Camp in the Toledo District, Commander of the BDF, Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, has confirmed that the complainant did eventually undergo a medical assessment despite initially declining the examination.  The alleged incident reportedly occurred during the early morning hours of Monday, June 29. Love News understands that the 22-year-old female soldier reported waking to find a fellow soldier in her bed wearing only boxer shorts before immediately reporting the allegation through the military chain of command.  The report prompted an immediate response from the Belize Defence Force, which dispatched both a counselor and a psychologist to Fairweather Camp to assist the complainant. The Brigadier General has reaffirmed that the Belize Defence Force has launched its own internal administrative investigation while fully cooperating with the Belize Police Department’s criminal investigation.

Anthony Velasquez, Commander, Belize Defence Force: “Part of our sexual relation policy, the victim can either request police intervention or deal with it internally. In this case there is a police intervention because of the seriousness and the gravity of the allegations. And we are also conducting an internal investigation as well. We take the matter seriously. However, we also take the fact that we must protect the victim and ensure that her rights and her privacy is being adhered to. After this was reported, we immediately took steps to ensure that the victim and her rights were adhered to. We have formed an investigation team internally to deal with the matter.”

Reporter: You have been informed that a medical assessment has been conducted? 

Anthony Velasquez, Commander, Belize Defence Force: “Yes, yes. Please understand that the victim is traumatized and a bit disoriented and highly anxious in an highly anxious state according to our psychologists and our counselor. So she was, her decision making was not the best since Monday. She since then, today, she has been more clear and more coherent and she went to make a police report and also there is an ongoing medical examination of her at the moment.”

Reporter:  So you are aware that she had declined medical assessment before?

Anthony Velasquez, Commander, Belize Defence Force: “According to reports, yes, she initially declined medical assessment. that has nothing to do with whether this incident occurred or not.“

As it relates to the internal processes, the commander spoke on the actions being taken by the force as the investigation proceeds.

Anthony Velasquez, Commander, Belize Defence Force: “The accused perpetrator will not be given leave or anything. He’s under what we call open arrest at the moment, meaning that he’s confined to the camp at Fairweather Camp until the investigation has been concluded which we hope to concluded this investigation in the speediest manner possible while also following all the regulations and the procedures. So until that investigation has been concluded, the alleged perpetrator is confined to Fairweather Camp. Now, in the part of the police investigation, whether the police need to speak to him or detain him, that’s a different matter.”

Reporter: Talk to me in terms of her status.

Anthony Velasquez, Commander, Belize Defence Force:“She will be transferred. She will not go back to that environment that she was in and after she has given her statement to the police and conducted the medical assessment, then she will be given leave. Based on the recommendation from the psychologist, we will give her leave to go home and start the recovery process.”

The Belize Police Department’s investigation is in the Punta Gorda jurisdiction where criminal charges are yet to be filed.