Ladyville, Belize District, Fri. Sept. 3, 2021– On Monday, August 30, a Belize Defence Force soldier stationed at the Price Barracks facility reported to her superiors that she had been sexually assaulted by a fellow soldier.

In line with the Belize Defence Force’s recently formulated sexual harassment policy, which requires that any alleged sexual assault within the force be reported to the Belize Police Department, the female soldier’s allegations were forwarded to the police on Thursday, September 2. The female soldier also decided to file a formal report of sexual assault by a Belize Defence Force male soldier. She was escorted to the Ladyville Police Station, where she filed her report.

The alleged perpetrator of the assault was reportedly identified as a non-commissioned officer within the force. The Police Department has launched an investigation, and if the alleged perpetrator is charged, he will be placed on interdiction.