Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Legal and Institutional Reform in Belize: Strengthening Child Protection Systems Presented by Margaret Nicholas Director, Belize Family Court

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize  The wind of change began in 1990 Belize 5 th Country to sign the CRC Belize 5 th Country to sign the CRC   Belize Family Court   NOPCAN   NCFC   Family Services Division- Department of Human Dev Dept.   Domestic Violence Unit within the Police Department   Strong Joint Advocacy for Legal and Institutional reform by UNICEF, NOPAN, NCFC, MHD

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Phase 1: Drafting of the Families and Children’s Act (FACA)   Development of a Cabinet Information Paper about the need for reform   Creating Ownership - Conducted a series of consultation meetings country-wide with all major stakeholders

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Phase 1: Drafting of the Families and Children’s Act (FACA)   Presentation of the results of the national consultations to Cabinet and other key decision makers.   Drafting of the Families and Children’s Act integrating CRC and other key information.   Passage of the Act in July 1998

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Phase 1: Capacity Building and Public Education  District wide Training: - Strengthening of institutional implementation capacities  Simplified Version of the Act developed

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Phase 2: Passage of Legislation to Further Protect Children’s Rights 1999 Statutory Instruments on Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse:   Provided for the mandatory reporting of suspected cases of child abuse and child sexual abuse   The child’s placement (where deemed necessary) into protective custody,   Associated procedures for investigating and reporting   The initiation of criminal proceedings against alleged perpetrators

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Phase 2: Passage of Legislation to Further Protect Children’s Rights 2002  Reporting of cases between police and social services  Appointment of an amicus curiae for all criminal cases involving children  Screens to protect children who are testifying in court.

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Phase 2: Passage of Legislation to Further Protect Children’s Rights The Penal System Reform (Alternative Sentences) Act Established the Community Rehabilitation Department Defines young person under 18. Enlarged the powers of the criminal courts to pass community sentences.

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Phase 3 Institutional Reform :  The spirit of the act is to reduce recidivism, reduce the rate of imprisoned young people for minor offences, and foster rehabilitation opportunities within the community.  The Community Rehabilitation Department (CRD) develops programs and structure to implement the alternative sentences scheme for first time offenders.  National Committee on Alternative Sentencing

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Phase 3 Institutional Reform 2003: National Conference on Community Service Magistrates, Police, Protection Officers and Community stakeholders trained on the mechanisms and benefits of alternative sentences. Family Court procedures at the District level promoted. District support teams were strengthened to provide some oversight. The activity gave tremendous momentum to the initiative resulting in a 400% increase in community service sentences within the first year.

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Phase two Institutional Reform:  Strengthening Family Court (  Strengthening Family Court ( Primary Dispute Resolution as a fundamental response)   Wagner’s Youth Facility ( Rehabilitation not Punishment)

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize More Legal Reform 2004   Passage of Statutory Instrument for the Regulation for Residential Care Facilities for Children. Process included consultations with operators of existing facilities   Increasing the age of Criminal Responsibility from 9 to 12 years.

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Phase 3: Continuing the Reform Process   Identifying Gaps through Application and Vulnerability Assessments Families and Children’s Act amendments before AG’s Ministry Drafting of Protocols for the Management of Child Abuse Cases Draft regulations to harmonize pertinent Juvenile Justice Legislation with a focus of full compliance with the CRC and other UN Conventions

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize New Initiative - Inter Agency Child Protection Pilot Project Project Title Piloting Integrated Support Services for Children who are Victims and/or Perpetrators of Crime

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize New Initiative - Inter Agency Child Protection Pilot Project 1. Programmes and Services Mapping:- Review and Analyses of Existing This component will provide key inform as to the availability of services for the targeted population by inventorying existing services and providers, quality, accessibility, resources, and gaps and develop interventions to fill gaps and or extend services

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize New Initiative - Inter Agency Child Protection Pilot Project (Several studies and assessments have clearly identified areas and possible language amendments) 2. Legal Reform (Several studies and assessments have clearly identified areas and possible language amendments)

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize New Initiative - Inter Agency Child Protection Pilot Project 3. Access to Legal and Social Services This component will support initiatives to ensure that all children who are offenders and or victims of crime have legal representation and access to child-friendly courts and services

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize New Initiative - Inter Agency Child Protection Pilot Project 4. Video Evidence   Provide opportunities for sexual abuse and rape victims to testify in Court via video tape testimonies.   Introduction of the video recording of interviews with child witnesses   Programme of capacity building within the criminal justice system to manage the implementation of video recording on a pilot basis.

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize New Initiative - Inter Agency Child Protection Pilot Project 5. Counseling and other Support Services This component will provide support to ensure that all children, adolescents and young persons have access to adequate and timely comprehensive counseling services

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize Lessons learnt:  Use the Groups Approach (work with like minded individuals, groups and associations)  Ensure that issue remains high on Political Agenda (competing agendas – short memories)  Comprehensive Approach to Reform ( secure commitment for the process: legal, institutional, financial

Reforms for Justice for Children: A Case Study of Belize THANK YOU