Another Case of Sexual Assault at Price Barracks

Investigations are underway yet again at Price Barracks after a B.D.F. female soldier is reporting that she was raped by another soldier. On Monday, she told her superiors that she was sexually assaulted and after interviews were conducted with her, she officially made a report to the Belize Police Department. Now, for some time, we have been reporting on the alleged rape culture within the B.D.F. and since then, the force has developed its Sexual Harassment Policy, which was used to address this incident. News Five spoke with B.D.F. Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Velasquez about this latest case.

Anthony Velasquez

Lt. Col. Anthony Velasquez, Chief of Staff, B.D.F.

“She was interviewed and counselled and during that process, the details of the assault came out. At the end, she realised that she was a victim of rape. So at that point in time, according to our sexual assault policy, we immediately informed the police on Thursday. We took her to the Ladyville Police Station – she’s stationed here at Price Barracks – we took her to the Ladyville Police Station where she made a formal report of rape.”

Duane Moody

“Sir, this is a senior officer that allegedly committed this crime?”

Lt. Col. Anthony Velasquez

“The perpetrator or the alleged perpetrator is a non-commissioned officer, a male non-commissioned officer within the Belize Defense Force. Certainly an issue that we have in the military of fraternization going too far many times between male and female soldiers. Over the years, we have enacted policies and we most recently completed our sexual assault policy and we are dealing with these incidences.”