Gender-Based Violence
Incidents By District, January to June 2021
Introduction
During the first half of 2021, Belize registered a decline in domestic violence cases, acts of sexual violence in the form of rape and unlawful sexual intercourse, and murder.
These forms of gender-based violence continue to affect young females (including girls) disproportionately.
The maps below visualize the situation at the district level. Central Belize (the Cayo and Belize Districts) continue to register the most cases of gender-based violence in the above-stated categories, as well as major crimes.
- (Note: With respect to domestic violence, cases refer only to records for which Police have made an arrest or launched an investigation. For a large percentage of reports, there is no court action, and in many cases complainants decline to pursue the matter.)
Eye on Stann Creek
Concerns over safety in the home:
STANN CREEK has emerged as an area of concern, due to the marked escalation in cases of domestic violence in that district, simultaneously with a sharp rise in burglaries.
KEY FACTS
Rise in cases of domestic violence and burglaries
- Stann Creek registered a sharp increase in domestic violence cases.
- Incidentally, burglaries also rose sharply in the Stann Creek District for the same period.
- However, Stann Creek saw a decline in murders and cases of sexual violence in the major crimes category.
Nationally, the total number of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE cases (384) exceeded the total number of burglaries (246), which is the most frequently reported category of major crimes in Belize.
Mid-Year Change in the Stann Creek District
Swipe the map below using the arrows to view change
Change in cases of domestic violence in the Stann Creek District for January to June 2021 relative to January to June 2020
KEY FACTS
- The Stann Creek District saw a 57% increase in Domestic Violence cases during January to June 2021 when compared to January to June 2020.
- Four of six districts registered a decline in domestic violence cases.
- The only other district to have recorded an increase was the Orange Walk District.
Explore Districts
Instructions for exploring the Sidecar below: Scroll through the map series to explore data by districts. Use the double arrow at the top-right of the map to expand each map. When you're done exploring, return to this page by clicking the double arrow again. To dock the pop-up beside the map, click the square at the top right of the box.
Cases of Domestic Violence by District
There were 1,243 complaints of Domestic Violence recorded by the Belize Police Department during January to June 2021. Of these, 384 resulted in cases being opened.
Number of cases and complaints at mid-year 2019, 2020 and 2021
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Change in case totals at the district level
Change in ranking of districts over the period 2018 to 2021. (Mid-year values only.)
Note the changes by region: central, northern and southern Belize, over time.
Cases of Sexual Violence by District
There were 29 incidents of Sexual Violence in the major crimes category recorded by the Belize Police Department during January to June 2021.
Number of cases of rape and unlawful sexual intercourse at mid-year 2019, 2020 and 2021 (Data here and on map only include these two major crimes categories.)
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Change by category of sexual violence
Swipe the arrows from left to right to observe changes at the district level.
When swiping, pause the slider at the center of each bar to compare change between the two time periods.
Note changes by category for each district.
Knowledge Check
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Females Murdered by District
Three (3) females were murdered in Belize during January to June 2021, according to official Police statistics.
Click the districts to view pop-up with more information.
The first half of 2021 saw a notable reduction in the number of females murdered. One case was reported as a heinous act of femicide and pedicide, which claimed the life of a mother and her son, who both perished in a fire.
Mother and Child Perish in a Case of Arson
For more information on crime and violence in Belize, visit the Belize Crime Observatory's website.
