UNICEF Statement on Recent Incidents Involving Violence and Abuse Against Children in Belize

Belize City, 25 April 2026 – UNICEF is gravely concerned by a disturbing series of incidents involving children reported in Belize over the past month, including cases of missing adolescents, children found dead, the circulation of online videos depicting abuse, and reports of inappropriate and harmful behaviour by adults toward children; among them multiple instances of sexual abuse by individuals known and trusted by the child.

Taken together, these incidents point to a deeply troubling reality that too many children in Belize are being harmed in spaces where they should be safest at home, at school, online and within their communities.

Sajid Ali, UNICEF Representative for Belize, is unequivocal in UNICEF’s message:

“Violence against children is a grave violation of their rights and must never be normalized or excused. Every child has an inalienable right to be safe and protected at home, in school, online and in their community. Children are never to blame for abuse. The responsibility lies squarely with adults to act, without hesitation, in the best interest of every child and to intervene whenever a child’s safety is at risk.”

While some recent incidents have drawn national attention because they were shared online or widely reported, many more cases of violence against children remain unseen and unreported. The recently launched Multiple Indicator Survey (MICS7)  confirms that violence against children most often occurs in familiar settings and at the hands of people children know and trust. A child’s right to protection does not depend on whether their suffering is visible.

Protecting children is a shared responsibility across systems, institutions, families, communities, and individuals. UNICEF continues to support the Government of Belize and national partners to strengthen the child protection system, including improving coordination, supporting legislative reform, and investing in targeted capacity‑building and awareness initiatives for social sector actors with statutory responsibilities for child protection and response to rights violations. These efforts are ongoing, and UNICEF remains committed to providing technical assistance and advocacy to strengthen both prevention and response, and to ensure access to care, protection, and justice for affected children.

System strengthening is essential, and accountability, particularly for mandatory reporters, must be upheld. At the same time, systems alone are not enough. Community‑level action is critical to complement institutional efforts and to create environments where children are protected in their everyday lives.

UNICEF, together with the National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC), has joined forces to advance the Blue Teddy Bear Campaign. The campaign was conceptualized to provide a platform for community engagement and action. The Blue Teddy Bear is a symbol of comfort, protection, and responsibility and a reminder that safeguarding children is not only the role of professionals, but of every adult who interacts with a child.

All children need our protection. Every adult can be part of the system that keeps children safe by learning the signs of abuse, understanding how and where to report concerns, and speaking up when a child may be at risk. Silence enables harm; informed and compassionate action can prevent it.

UNICEF will continue to advocate strongly for the rights of children in Belize and remains committed to working with government, partners, communities, and families to ensure that every child grows up safe, protected, and free from violence.

We can and must do better for children.