The charges recently brought against the Area Representative for Orange Walk East, Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez surrounding allegations of inappropriate behavior towards two minors have spun heads, spurred further speculations and talks as well as highlighted the identities of the two minors despite the fact that their names were not mentioned on the local media.
In light of this major lapse in sensitivity, the the Prime Minister's wife issued a release today urging the media houses and the public in general to rise above the political lines when it comes to the affected children.
The release reads, in its entirety, “In light of the grave allegations recently made against a Belizean public figure, the Prime Minister's wife Kim Simplis urges all persons involved to ensure that this highly sensitive issue is handled with the best interests of the affected children as the priority. This is an opportunity to rise above political lines and raise awareness on a serious issue that continues to be seen as taboo. Child sexual abuse, in all its forms, is a horrific reality that shakes the foundation of countless homes across Belize and far beyond our borders; it transcends race, social status and religion. Unfortunately, too many victims and their families are crippled by fear and/or shame and, therefore, cases are often overlooked, undetected or go unreported, especially when the perpetrator is within the home or is a trusted adult. It is also very important to understand the dynamics of child sexual abuse that makes it difficult for children to disclose their abuse. It is not uncommon for victims of child abuse to wait until adulthood to speak out.
"This is why it so important that when these violations of children’s rights are reported, they are not taken lightly and every effort is made to ensure that truth and justice prevail. The Special Envoy takes this opportunity to encourage parents and guardians to ensure that the well-being, safety and protection of their children are paramount. Parents and guardians are encouraged to communicate with their children, ensuring that they have information on sexual abuse prevention and where to turn for help. And most importantly, parents and guardians are encouraged to always take action when incidents of abuse are reported to them, regardless of how trusted the accused offender may be.