By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Ministry of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs and Transportation has joined the growing condemnation of sexualized behaviour involving children at public celebrations, saying cultural expression must never come at the expense of children’s safety and dignity.
In a statement issued Wednesday, September 23, the Ministry said it stands in support of concerns raised by Belize’s churches and “unequivocally” condemns inappropriate and sexualized behaviour involving children during recent public celebrations.
“Children should never be placed in situations where inappropriate sexual behaviour is encouraged, normalized, or presented as entertainment, regardless of the setting or occasion,” the Ministry stated.
While acknowledging national and cultural celebrations as important expressions of Belizean identity, heritage and unity, the Ministry said cultural expression must be exercised responsibly and should never compromise the moral standards and boundaries necessary to protect children.
The statement comes amid widespread controversy over a video recorded during Monday’s Orange Walk Carnival Road March showing a young boy engaged in highly sexualized dancing with three adult women. The National Evangelical Association of Belize has called for police action against the adults involved, while Church Senator Pastor Louis Wade has called for stronger safeguards governing children’s involvement in Carnival.
Police have since said they will make inquiries into the incident and that the Department of Human Services should become involved. Police also stressed that parental consent or a parent’s unwillingness to pursue a complaint would not prevent authorities from acting where the welfare of a child is at stake.
The Office of the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children also issued a statement Wednesday expressing “deep concern” over the video and calling on parents, schools, event organizers, social-media users and community leaders to strengthen child-protection safeguards.
Breaking Belize News’ main Facebook page has also been suspended indefinitely following the controversy after Facebook removed BBN’s publication of the video, determining that it violated the platform’s policies relating to child sexual exploitation.
The Religious Affairs Ministry said it stands with churches and religious bodies in calling on parents, guardians, event organizers, participants and the wider community to exercise greater responsibility and vigilance whenever children are involved.
“Our children deserve our protection, our guidance, and our example,” the Ministry concluded.
The post Religious Affairs Ministry backs churches, condemns sexualized behaviour involving children after Carnival controversy appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Ministry of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs and Transportation has joined the growing condemnation of sexualized behaviour involving children at public celebrations, saying cultural expression must never come at the expense of children’s safety and dignity. In a statement issued Wednesday, September 23, the Ministry said it stands
The post Religious Affairs Ministry backs churches, condemns sexualized behaviour involving children after Carnival controversy appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
