History of CDF Belize

In 2006 the ILO/IPEC office in San Jose sponsored a study to investigate the incidence of CSEC in Belize. This resulted in a publication entitled The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Belize. The study drew from a Vulnerability Analysis of Children in Belize commissioned by UNICEF and done by CDF founder Diana Shaw in 2004.

The existence of CSEC in Belize and its prevalence was identified. Later the 2006 study also indicated some of the consequences of the prevalence of CSEC in Belize and highlighted the factors which placed children at risk of becoming victims of CSEC in Belize. The study identified the Police Department as one of the key stakeholder agencies whose actions directly contribute to the elimination of CSEC. Beat officers or patrol officers attached to the Police Department together with Community Liaison Police Officers come in direct contact with potential victims and potential client exploiters and intermediaries and therefore needed to be sensitized on the issues arising with CSEC.

In addition, the study made recommendations for the revision of legislation with a view to criminalizing CSEC offences. In 2007 the Prohibition of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Bill was drafted. The Bill creates new criminal offences associated with CSEC and brings the penalties in line with penalties for similar offences internationally. That Bill was drafted by CDF Founder Diana Shaw and is with the Attorney-Generals Ministry.

Two pilot projects established and funded by the ILO to provide care to victims successfully removed and rehabilitated victims of CSEC in Belize City and in San Ignacio Town and in September 2008, the projects were transitioned into the family and children services offered by the Department of Human Services, the arm of the government with responsibility for the protection of children and adolescents. Since then a Care Model has been prepared by Miss Diana Shaw and validated by the Government of Belize as the protocol for stakeholder involvement on detecting CSEC and providing primary and secondary intervention and follow up services to victims.

In November 2008 in response to the need for a community based non-profit organization to continue the sensitization efforts and to continue the advocacy for victims, CDF was founded and incorporated as a non-profit organization under the Laws of Belize.

History of CDF Belize

CDF BELIZE - Ph. 501-633-7010 - E-mail. cdfbelize@ymail.com