A 

PARENT’S
GUIDE   TO
THE CHILD
 
PROTECTION
 
SYSTEM 
© National Committee for Families and Children

November 2005

Contributors:
Starla Acosta, Judith Alpuche, Aimee Jex, Ava Pennill and
Stephanie Young

Resources:
Families and Children’s Act 2000, Department of Human
Services Policy and Procedure Manual, The Convention
on the Rights of the Child

Photos: Starla Acosta, Cesar Villar

With the support of

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ iii

CHAPTER 1: PLEASE STOP… STOP HURTING ME!!

What is Child Abuse?..............................................................................................................1
Signs that tell your child is been abused or neglected. ............................................................4
What can I do to prevent child abuse? .....................................................................................6
Why did my child not tell me about the abuse? ......................................................................8
Why did he/she abuse my child? .............................................................................................9
The impact of child abuse on the child, parents and family. .................................................11

CHAPTER 2: HELP IS ON THE WAY.

What is the Child Protection System? ...................................................................................14
Which agencies make up the Child Protection System? .......................................................15

CHAPTER 3: KNOCK, KNOCK….

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
What is the Department of Human Services?........................................................................20
How did DHS get a report about my child? ..........................................................................21
Why did the DHS get involved with my family? ..................................................................24
What type of investigation will the DHS conduct? ...............................................................25
What are Court Orders?.........................................................................................29

CHAPTER 4: WHERE IS MY CHILD GOING?

What is “substitute care”? .....................................................................................................30
Do I give the agency any information about my child?.........................................................32

CHAPTER 5: WHAT PLANS DO THEY HAVE FOR MY CHILD?

What is a “permanency plan”? ..............................................................................................33
What are the types of permanency plans? .............................................................................34
When will the case be closed?...............................................................................................36

CHAPTER 6: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

What happens to the perpetrator of the abuse?...........................................................37
How do I support my child?.......................................................................................38
Who else can help?...................................................................................................41

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ii
 INTRODUCTION
Purpose of the Guide
As a parent, guardian, or concerned member of the community, you
may find that it becomes very difficult when situations of abuse and
neglect take place within your home. You may feel lost, and at times
you may even give up hope, especially when you cannot understand the
system that you have come in contact with.
This guide will:
♦ Introduce you to the world of child abuse and neglect,
♦ Help you to identify signs and symptoms and what to look for
when a child is being abused,
♦ Highlight tips for preventing child abuse and neglect.

It will also help you to answer the many questions you may have as a
parent or guardian regarding:
♦ The child protection system and what it can do for you and your
child,
♦ The people you will meet and work with while in the child
protection system,
♦ Your rights and responsibilities,
♦ Other organizations that can help you and your family.

Remember, this guide alone cannot solve all your problems or answer all
your questions. Let this guide become your companion as you enter the
Child Protection System.

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iv
 CHAPTER 1

PLEASE STOP….STOP HURTING ME!!

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse occurs when a person either does something or, neglects
to do something that brings harm to a child, especially if the action was
done on purpose or if the person responsible should have known that
their behavior would cause harm. Child abuse occurs in different
ways. However, abuse and neglect, in any form, place the child’s
physical, intellectual, emotional and social growth and development in
serious danger.

There are four main types of abuse:

1. Physical Abuse
2. Sexual Abuse
3. Psychological Abuse
4. Neglect

Physical Abuse is any physical injury to a child which is not

accidental and is intended to cause pain, injury or other physical
suffering or harm. Physical abuse may include severe beating,
pinching, burning, shaking, or any other acts that may result in broken
bones, bruises and other marks on the body.

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Sexual Abuse occurs when a child is involved in any sexual activity
with another person. It includes fondling a child’s private and sexual
parts, or making the child fondle the abuser’s private and sexual parts,
sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral sex or any other activity of a sexual
nature.

Exploitation of a child is another form of abuse. Exploitation refers

to the use of a child for work or other activities which harms the child
and benefits others. This includes child labour and child pornography
and prostitution.

Psychological Abuse - also known as emotional abuse , verbal

abuse or mental abuse is when children are constantly put-down, called
names or criticized so that they lose confidence in themselves. Severe
forms of psychological abuse include extreme forms of punishment
like locking the child in a closet for long periods or terrorizing the
child.

Neglect is the failure of the parent or caregiver to provide for the

child’s basic needs. Neglect can be physical, educational, or emotional.
Physical neglect can include not providing safe shelter, adequate food
or clothing, appropriate medical care or supervision to the child. It can
also include abandonment of the child. Educational neglect includes
2
failure to provide adequate schooling or special educational needs,
assistance with homework or school books, or allowing the child to be
excessively absent from school. Psychological neglect involves not
attending to the child’s emotional needs, not showing love and support
toward the child.

Some types of abuse are easier to identify than others. A child

of any age, sex, religion and socio-economic background can fall
victim to abuse and neglect. As adults in the society, it is our
responsibility to ensure that all children are being protected.

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Is my child being abused or neglected?

Have you ever wondered why your child has become unusually
quiet or very violent?
Do you ever notice how that little boy or girl stays alone during
recess?
These may be signs of child abuse, but do not think that one sign can
signal abuse. It is better to stay alert and to recognize all changes in
your child’s behavior. Here are a few signs to help you look for
sexual, physical, emotional abuse or neglect of your child.

Sexual Abuse
• Has difficulty walking or sitting
• Experiences nightmares and bedwetting
• Is very knowledgeable about sex
• Displays inappropriate sexual behavior
• Runs away from home frequently
• Is very scared of adults
• Does not mingle with friends at school
• Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult

4

Physical Abuse
• Has unexplained burns,
bites, bruises, broken
bones, or black eyes
• Does not like going home
and fears parents
• Is scared of being around
adults or a particular person
Emotional Abuse
• Is extremely passive
or extremely aggres-
sive
• Is delayed in physical
or emotional
development
• Has attempted
suicide
• Shows no sign of
attachment to parents
• Behaves younger than
his/her age or displays
adult-like behavior

Neglect
• Is frequently absent from school
• Begs or steals money or food
• Is usually untidy or dirty and has severe body odor
• Persistent health problems
• Lacks proper clothing for the weather
• States that there is no one at home to provide care.
• Frequently wanders the streets

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 What can I do to prevent child abuse?

To prevent child abuse, you can follow 8 guidelines.

1. Learn the facts and understand the risks

The only way to know if a child is being abused is to learn about
abuse. Most victims are close to and even trust the people who
abuse them, and many children are related to their abuser. Most
child victims never report the abuse because they are afraid. Many
children are abused by older or larger children.

2. Minimize Opportunity
You could minimize the opportunity of your child being abused by
making sure that your child is not left alone with one person, even
if it is someone you trust. You should know where your child is at
all times and be sure that your child is with someone that you trust.

3. Talk about it
Learn to talk with your child about abuse. If you are comfortable
talking with your child, then he/she will feel comfortable enough to
tell you if anyone wants to take advantage of him/her. You should
teach your child about “good touch” and “bad touch” from an
early age.

4. Be Alert
Be alert to signs of child abuse, to notice sudden changes in your
child’s behavior, or physical signs of abuse.

5. Make a Plan
6
How would you react if you found out that your child was abused?
 Think about it. You should make a plan of how you would react,
and remember to remain calm, listen to what your child has to say,
believe your child and protect your child from further harm.

6. Act on Suspicion
If you suspect that a child is being abused, report it to the Police or
Department of Human Services at 0-800-77638 or 227-2057. Trust
your instincts.

7. Get Involved
Become involved in your child’s life by knowing who his/her
friends are. Encourage group activities and supervise as much as
you can. You can also donate your time and resources to anti-
abuse organizations such as the Department of Human Services or
NOPCAN.

8. Allow Your Child to Exercise His/Her Rights

Your child has the right to express his/her opinion and
feelings, and to have those feelings taken into account when
decisions are being made that affect your child. Children who are
listened to and who feel that their opinions are valued are more
likely to report abuse. Let your child know that he/she is
being heard and teach your child to share his or her opinions and
feelings in a respectful way.

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 Why did my child not tell me about the abuse?

As a parent, this is often the first question that you ask, mainly because you
may feel scared as you wonder why your child did not say something to
you about the abuse.

Child abuse, especially, sexual abuse is very difficult for a

child to discuss with anyone!!

The abuser is usually someone close to your child, and this makes it very
difficult for your child to talk about the abuse because the abuser often
threatens your child not to tell, or makes the child feel responsible for the
abuse. In other cases, your child may be too young and does not have the
ability to say what is happening to him/her. If your child has a disability,
this makes him/her even more vulnerable to abuse.

Your child might not know that he/she is being abused because he/she is not
aware that certain actions are wrong. It is important that you speak to your
child about inappropriate behaviours. In other instances, your child may
have been bribed by the abuser and told that the abuse is actually something
good. This happens especially in cases where a child feels unloved at home
and believes the abuse is a form of affection that he/she is yearning for.

8
 Your child has the right to be heard!
LISTEN to your child.
He or She may be trying to tell you
something.

Why did he/she abuse my child?

This question has been asked by nearly every parent whose child has been
abused. We all want to know why a person would do such a thing to a
child, especially if that person is a parent or close relative or friend. It is
important to understand that abuse, especially sexual abuse, is an

Adults who are more powerful may find it easy to do as they please with a
child. Abuse of a child may occur as a result of excessive punishment.
Parents have a responsibility to discipline their children, and punishment
may be a part of discipline. However, punishment should NEVER lead to
the abuse of a child. The reality is that any action that causes suffering or
harm to a child is abuse.

9
Parents may abuse children because they lack appropriate parenting skills,
or as a result of drug and alcohol problems, marital problems, or domestic
violence. For some adults, abuse was a part of their childhood experi-
ence, and they pass on the same negative experience to their children.

It is very important to talk with

your child about abuse.
Teach your child about
“good touch” and “bad touch.”

10
What is the impact of child abuse?

A child cannot understand how

Someone who is supposed to love and

protect them ends up hurting them!

The impact of abuse on a child varies depending on the circumstances of

the abuse or neglect, and the child’s environment. However, abuse in any
form causes emotional harm to the child. Your child can develop health
problems as a result of the abuse. Stress often arises as a result of abuse.
This stress may impact your child’s eating and sleeping habits and even
school performance. Such stress can also lead to psychological problems,
including depression and in some cases, it can even lead your child to bring
harm to him/herself or to others.

Your child may live in constant fear of anticipated abuse and the abuser.
This constant fear can cause your child to withdraw from being around oth-
ers or even getting involved in new activities for fear of being abused. As
result, that child will never develop to his/her fullest potential.
11
Abuse also impacts the entire family. Parents are often angry, scared,
ashamed and confused at the thought of their child being abused. The
situation becomes even more complex and difficult to understand if the
abuse was done by a parent, relative or close friend.

Quite often, the non-abusing parent blames him or herself for not being
able to protect the child from being abused. Abuse, of any type, has a
strong impact on your family because your home is no longer viewed as a
safe place. Some families are ashamed of the abuse and try to keep it a se-
cret. Abuse also threatens the stability of the family and can cause the fam-
ily structure to breakdown. This usually affects the care and support that is
normally provided to the child/children.

12
Now, more than ever, your family needs to be strong to support the victim
of the abuse. The issue of the abuse will never go away, but you have a re-
sponsibility to your child to get him/her the help that he/she needs in order
to face and recover from this abuse. No matter what happens, keep in
mind that the abuse of a child is NEVER the child’s fault.

Remember,
Talk with your child,
Listen to your child,
Believe your child,
Because you just NEVER
know.
ANY child
can become a victim of abuse!

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 CHAPTER 2

HELP IS ON THE WAY

What is the Child Protection System?

The main purpose of the child protection system is to provide a safe and
secure environment for every child. It also helps to link families to
services in order to keep families together and will support you in reuniting
with your child, if your child is removed from your home.

The Child Protection System is not just one organization; it is a group of

agencies that all work together to provide services to children and families,
such as protection, health care, education, and counseling . These
organizations include the Courts, the Department of Human Services,
Police Department, and other government and non-governmental agencies
that work together to ensure that decisions are made to achieve that which
is in your child’s best interest.

14
Which agencies make up the Child Protection System?

The Child Protection System is composed of 5 main agencies.

1. The Department of Human Services is the government body respon-
sible for:
♦ Responding to and investigating all reports of child abuse and neglect,

♦ Helping families solve problems that may lead to abuse or neglect

♦ Providing services to these children and families.

The primary concern of this department is the protection of the child from
abuse and making decisions that serve your child’s best interest.

2. The Police Department is also responsible for investigating all reports

of child abuse and neglect. Reports of child abuse can be
made directly to the Police Department. However, the
Police must work along with the Department of Human
Services to ensure the protection of the child. The Police
Department is primarily concerned with gathering evi-
dence in order to determine whether or not a crime has
been committed. The evidence gathered is then passed on to the Depart-
ment of Public Prosecution for follow–up.

15
Diagram of Child Abuse Investigation Process conducted by
the Police Department

Child Abuse Report

Police Department

Criminal Investigation

No Charge Charge

Trial

Not Guilty Guilty

16
3. Medical Services, which includes all hospitals, clinics, and all medical
professionals, are responsible for being familiar with the signs and symp-
toms of abuse and neglect. In cases where reports are made to the Depart-
ment of Human Services or the Police Department, a medical examination
must be done if there are visible signs of abuse or enough reason to believe
the child has been abused and needs medical attention. Medical examina-
tions are necessary to determine the condition of the child at the time the
investigation is being done. Medical practitioners are also responsible for
providing treatment to victims. During medical exami-
nations, evidence of the abuse is usually collected. This
is necessary in order to bring charges against the alleged
abuser. Medical practitioners must often provide expert
testimony if the case is taken to court.

17
4. The Department of Public Prosecution—DPP is
responsible for bringing the abuser to justice by con-
ducting all criminal proceedings. Based on the evi-
dence submitted by the Police Department, the DPP’s
main function is to determine whether or not to file
charges against the alleged perpetrator of the abuse. Once charges are
filed, the DPP must prepare for trial. The decision whether or not criminal
charges should be initiated is based on:
♦ Whether there is sufficient substantial evidence

♦ Whether it is in the public interest to take the matter to trial

♦ Whether or not it is in the interest of the child victim that the pro-

ceedings should be instituted.

The DPP must prove the guilt of the perpetrator/abuser.

18
5. The Court System is responsible for giving al-
leged perpetrators a fair trial and bringing abusers to
justice. The Criminal Court generally focuses on
the criminal act of the defendant/abuser, while the
Civil Court hears the case and makes a decision
concerning the safety and protection of the child. The Belize Family
Court performs preventive work and works to keep families together.
Quite often, officers of the Family Court must conduct assessments and
submit reports to the court regarding the welfare of children. The Belize
Family Court also reports cases of abuse and neglect to the Department of
Human Services for investigation.

19
 CHAPTER 3

KNOCK, KNOCK…..DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

What is the Department of Human Services?

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is a branch of government

within the Ministry of Human Development that works to assist all
persons in the community to enjoy a better quality of life. The DHS
provides a wide range of services to families, children, older persons
and persons with disabilities and HIV/AIDS.
DHS is divided into four main units. They are:
1. Community and Parent Empowerment Project (COMPAR)
2. Family Support Services
3. Child Protection Services (CPS)
4. Child Placement and Special Services (CPSS)

Through these four units, the Department of Human Services is able to

provide a wide range of services which include financial assistance to
families, support services, counseling, substitute and institutional care,
parenting education, referrals and services to special populations within
society. The DHS is also responsible for investigating all reported
cases of child abuse and neglect. The DHS will work along with you
and your family to develop a plan to protect your child from harm and
provide you with information about child abuse.

The20people who work in the DHS may be called Community

Development Officers, Children’s Services Officers or Social Service
Practitioners.

How did the DHS get a report about my child?

The law
says that anyone who suspects that a child has been abused has a
moral duty to report the abuse. There are some persons who also have
a legal obligation to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.
They are called mandatory reporters. Mandatory reporters include:
♦ Any person in charge of a public or private hospital, doctors,

nurses and all other medical personnel who attend to a child

exhibiting signs of abuse;
♦ Any family member, teacher, social worker, school counselor,

employee of a certified children’s institution, school administrator

or principal, deputy principal of any educational institution,
probation officer, police officer or any other employee of the
Government of Belize whose daily duties entail dealing regularly
with children

21
 Reports can be made by the victims themselves,
teachers, medical personnel, family members, social
workers, counselors, employees or officers of the
Government, or any other concerned citizen.

Mandatory reporters do not need to have proof that a child is being

abused or neglected. They make reports based on their suspicions,
taking into consideration their training in detecting the signs and
symptoms of abuse and neglect. Reports are made to the proper
authorities so that a thorough investigation can be carried out to either
prove or disprove that your child is being abused.

It must also be noted that mandatory

reporters who fail to promptly report a
case of suspected child abuse can be fined
up to $1,000, be sent to jail or both.

22
We should not keep silent about abuse. We all need to protect our
children from all forms of abuse and neglect. Reports can be made by
contacting the Department of Human Services or the Police Depart-
ment, or you can also call the 24 hour hotline at

Every child has the right to

be protected from all forms
of abuse and neglect.
23
 Why did the DHS get involved with my family?
When a report of child abuse is made, a worker from the Child Protective
Services, which is a branch of the Department of Human Services, will
contact your family.

These workers respond to all suspected cases of abuse and neglect and will
conduct the proper investigation to make sure that your child is not suffering
or likely to suffer harm.

Will I know who reported the abuse?

No. The DHS worker will inform you about the report but he/she cannot tell
you who made the report. DHS workers work confidentially, and it is their
duty to respond to any report of suspected abuse and to conduct an
investigation and safety assessment to see if your child is at risk. They
understand that not all families abuse their children on purpose, but

24
 Do I have to allow the DHS worker into my home?

No. You do not have to allow the DHS worker into your home; however, it
is best for you to work along with the DHS worker. Whether or not you
choose to let the DHS worker into your home, he/she is still legally re-
quired to conduct an investigation of the reported abuse. If the DHS
worker has reason to believe that your child’s life or safety is in danger, the
Court will issue a Search and Production Order to enter your home and re-
move your child or order you to bring your child to Court within 48 hours.

What type of Investigation will the DHS conduct?

When the DHS worker and the police officer visit your home, both will
conduct an investigation. This involves conducting necessary inter-
views to find out if your child has suffered any abuse or is in danger of
suffering abuse.

If your child is found to be suffering from abuse, a medical examination

will be conducted by a doctor. This examination is important as it de-
termines the extent of the abuse and the condition of the child at that
time. It is better if you, as the parent, cooperate with the authorities to
have the examination done.
25
If you do not cooperate, the law empowers the social worker and the
Police to have the medical examination completed without your con-
sent.

A part of the investigation also includes a safety assessment. A

safety assessment looks at whether or not a child will suffer abuse by
remaining in the home. If your child is suffering from abuse, an
emergency protection removal will take place, and your child will be
removed from your home by the Department of Human Services or
the Police. The Department of Human Services must then inform the
Magistrate or Family Court within 48 hours that they have removed
your child.

If your child is found to be suffering abuse

and it is also determined that your home is
not the “best” place for your child, your
child will be removed from your home and
placed in substitute care. Two separate in-
vestigations will then be conducted: a social
investigation by the DHS worker and a
criminal investigation by a police officer.

26
After the necessary interviews have been conducted, and information re-
garding your child, family, and alleged offender has been gathered and
reviewed, a decision will then be made as to whether the child
will return home, or be placed in substitute care. The decision
will be made based on which is determined to be the safest
place for your child. Once a placement decision has been
made, the Court will issue an order.

27
 Diagram of Child Abuse Investigation Process conducted
by the Department of Human Services

Child Abuse Report

Department of Human Services

Social Investigation

Abuse Unconfirmed Abuse Confirmed

Maintain at Home Removal

Substitute Care

Family Reunification Adoption

28
 What are Court Orders?
A Court Order is an instruction given by the
court, telling someone what they can or cannot do.
The Court may issue various types of orders.

1. A Supervision Order allows the child to

remain at home, under the supervision of the
Department of Human Services (DHS) . The DHS
is required to visit the home on a regular basis to
monitor the situation and to provide information
and support to parents.

2. A Care Order authorizes the DHS to remove a child from his/her

home and to place the child them in substitute care. Remember, a child
can be removed under emergency protection without a court order, but
the care order must be obtained within 48 hours.

3. A Custody Order takes away custody of the child from the parent(s)
and gives it to the DHS. The child can then be placed for adoption.

4. A Maintenance Order - when a child is placed in substitute care,

the DHS can ask the Court to issue a maintenance order. This order
instructs parents to pay child maintenance to the DHS.

29
CHAPTER 6
 CHAPTER 4

WHERE IS MY CHILD GOING?

What is “substitute care”?

You have been told by the DHS worker that your child has been placed
in substitute care. This means that your child has been placed in a
safe, nurturing environment, either in someone else’s home
or in a children’s home/institution. Your child will remain in
substitute care until a plan can be developed.

What are the different types of substitute care?

When a decision is made to place a child in substitute care, the “best

substitute” for your child will be chosen.

First, the DHS worker will inquire about any relatives who can provide
a safe and nurturing environment for your child, and the DHS worker
will assess if your relatives can provide for the needs of your child This
is referred to as a ‘Relative Foster Home’.

The second option will be to place your child in foster care. The

30
families that provide foster care have to meet certain standards set by
the Department for them to qualify as foster families so as to ensure
the safety of your child.

Finally, your child may be placed in a children’s

home. The Department will do its best to place all
your children together. However, due to different
situations this may not be possible. In some cases,
such as a child needing special treatment or if the
foster family does not have enough space, your
children may be placed separately.

Remember, the goal is

to be reunited with
your child. It is your
responsibility to show
interest in your child
and
Do I need to give the DHSwork withany
worker theinformation
DHS worker.
about

Yes. It is very important that you give the DHS worker all
31
the necessary information about your child.

Information regarding your child’s

♦ medical history
♦ school and learning abilities
♦ eating habits
♦ information about close friends and relatives
and
♦ any other information that will help your child
receive the best care and make the adjustment
to the new home easier.

32
 CHAPTER 5

WHAT PLANS DO THEY HAVE FOR MY CHILD?

What is a “permanency plan”?

Permanency planning is a “comprehensive planning process directed

toward the goal of a permanent, stable environment for a child.”
This permanency plan should be developed along with you, the parent
and should ensure that timely decisions are made that will provide a
stable, permanent home for your child.

How is the permanency plan developed for my child?

The permanency plan is developed after an assessment of your child and

your family has been completed. The DHS worker will then be able to
identify your child’s needs and desires and will work with you in
developing the best plan for your child. This plan will be reviewed on a
regular basis, sometimes a monthly review is recommended. However,
you should note that in no way will your child’s plan go longer than
ninety days without a review.

33
 The DHS is also responsible for permanency planning, making sure
that families and children receive proper counselling and support,
and that the child is ultimately placed in a permanent and stable
home. Permanency planning may result in your child being re
turned home once the DHS has determined that he/she is no longer
at risk.

What are the types of permanency plans?

There are SIX various types of permanency plans.

1. Maintain at home:
Keeping your child at home is usually the first choice. This plan looks
at providing support to families and directs them to other agencies for
assistance.

2. Return Home/Family Reunification

This plan allows your child to return to your home. You must ensure
that positive changes have taken place in your home and that your child
will no longer be at risk for further abuse.

3. Family Unification
This plan allows for legal guardianship with a relative, placement with a
previously unknown biological parent, or reunification with a parent
living abroad.

4. Adoption:
34
If the plan is for adoption then a court hearing will take place and a full
custody order will be granted to the department . This will occur if
you fail to meet the requirements of a plan or show no sign of
improving the conditions at home.

5. Long-term Foster Care

This is rarely done, and is usually applied to older children or children
with special needs. The Department may, however, establish a plan for
long-term foster care. If your child has lived with a foster family for
more than five years, and for economic reasons the family chooses not
to adopt, your child will stay with the foster family until adulthood.

6. Semi-independent living/independent living:

This plan is only for a child who reaches the age of 18 years while in
the care and custody of the Department. This plan provides your child
with the necessary life skills to live as independently as possible.

When will the case be closed?

This is often the first question asked by some parents/guardians, 35

who
feel that their child has been away from home too long. However, a
case can only be closed if the situation improves, the goals of the
care plan have been reached, or the child is in a permanent home and
the child is no longer in need of protective custody or services. The
case is also closed when a child reaches his/her eighteenth birthday,
which is adulthood.

36
 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

What happens to the perpetrator of the The perpetrator

is the person
who allegedly abused the child. Once a report of abuse has been made, the
Police will conduct a thorough investigation and will gather evidence of the
crime. Once there is enough evidence that a crime has been committed, the
abuser is arrested and taken to Court.

Depending on the type of charge that the police bring against the alleged
perpetrator, the case will either be taken to the
Magistrate’s Court or the Supreme Court. The Court
will determine the alleged abuser’s guilt or innocence.
The more severe charges will go to the Supreme Court.

If the alleged perpetrator is found guilty of child

abuse, the Court will issue a sentence, and the
perpetrator will be taken to prison.

37
Even if the abuser is not found guilty by the criminal court, that does not
mean that you, as the parent and the Department of Human Services cannot
work together to protect your child. You can still file a civil case against
your child’s abuser.

How do I support my child?

If you are the non-offending parent, there are many things that you can do
to support your child. Here are some tips to help along the way:

♦ Believe your child and let your child know that telling you about the
abuse was a good thing to do.

♦ Reassure your child and let him/her know that you

still love and care for him/her very much. Let your
child know that he/she is not alone and that you
will do everything in your power to help.

♦ Reinforce that the abuse is not your child’s fault.

Emphasize that it is never okay for an adult to
abuse a child in any way. It is not your child’s fault
no matter what anyone else might say.

38
♦ Get help. Report the abuse to the proper authorities. They can help to
give you more information and answer your questions so that you are
better able to support your child through this
challenging time.

♦ Provide a safe environment for your child to talk

to you and begin to heal.

♦ Understand that your child might also need

counseling. There is nothing wrong in getting your child and your
family professional help.

♦ Go to Court with your child.

♦ Work along with the Department of Human Services and the Depart-
ment of Public Prosecutions to explain the process of going to Court to
your child.

♦ Provide a safe environment for your child by ensuring that the alleged
perpetrator does not come in contact with your child, intimidate your
child or try to persuade your child not to testify in Court.

♦ Work with your child and the rest of your family to develop a safety
plan so that abuse does not reoccur.

39
Coping with the abuse of a child is a traumatic experience for any fam-
ily. Even if you are the parent who caused the abuse, you can work to-
ward reunification with your child. It is your responsibility to follow
the orders issued by the court and to work closely with the Department
of Human Services. If you do all that is required of you and you are
no longer a threat to your child, then the Department of Human Ser-
vices will work with you towards family reunification.

If you are the non-offending par-

ent, it is your responsibility to protect your child from further abuse by
reporting the abuse to the proper authorities, and offering your child
the support that he/she needs.

40
Who else can help?

Child abuse isn’t just the family’s business because it affects the en-
tire society. It is an issue that everyone needs to pay attention to and
do their part to protect our most precious resource, our children.
There are other agencies who can assist you.

Agency Telephone Number

Police Family Violence Unit 227-2222

Community Rehabilitation Department 223-2716

Belize Family Court 227-4114
Belize Family Life Association 203-1018
Young Women’s Christian Association 203-4971
Young Men’s Christian Association 222-5526
BCVI—Belize Council for the Visually Im- 227-7776
paired
CARE Belize 223-5986

YES—Youth Enhancement Services 223-0970

NOPCAN—National Organization for the
Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect 203-0441

41
 Remember...
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42 n ed ps them
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 For further information, feel free to contact the
Department of Human Services in your district.

2nd Floor
Belize City Commercial Center
227-7451 or 227-2057
West Block Building
Belmopan City Independence Plaza
822-2161

5th Avenue
Corozal Town 422-2120

George Price Drive

Dangriga 522-2089

Slaughterhouse Street
Orange Walk Town 322-2283

18 Main Middle Street

Punta Gorda Town 722-2021

Busman Arnold Building

Corner Mossiah and Victoria
San Ignacio Town Streets
824-2098
 “Championing the Rights and Welfare of
Belizean Children and their Families”

National Committee for Families and Children

62 Cleghorn Street
Belize City, Belize
Tel: 501-223-0059
501-223-1180
Fax: 501-223-1229
Email: ncfc@btl.net