Belize's Complex Stance On Prostitution: Understanding The Legal Grey Area

Prostitution in Belize is a complex issue. While prostitution itself is legal in the country, the buying of sexual services is not, creating an ambiguous situation. This contradiction in laws means that prostitution is widespread, with sex workers operating on the streets, in brothels, bars, nightclubs and hotels. The country's laws treat prostitution offences as nuisances, with small penalties, and law enforcement is often corrupt and ineffective. Belize is a destination for sex tourism and, more concerningly, child sex tourism, with foreign tourists exploiting children. Sex trafficking, including of minors, is a significant problem, and Belize is a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to this horrific trade.

Prostitution is legal, but buying sexual services is not

Prostitution is legal in Belize, but the buying of sexual services is not. This means that while it is not illegal to sell sexual services, it is illegal to obtain them by paying for them.

Belize's prostitution laws also prohibit associated activities such as operating a brothel, loitering for the purposes of prostitution, and soliciting sex. Other prohibited activities include procuring another person to work as a prostitute, providing premises for prostitution, and living off the earnings of prostitution.

The laws treat prostitution offences as nuisances, and penalties are small. However, the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Act of 2003 combats trafficking and carries a maximum penalty of 5 years' imprisonment or a $5,000 fine.

Despite prostitution being legal, Belize is facing issues with sex trafficking, including child sex trafficking, and the country has been identified as a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking. The country is also a destination for sex tourism, and some hotels operate a "ficha" system, where prostitutes rent rooms, attract clients in the bar, and are paid a commission on the drinks bought by clients before going to the rooms.

Sex trafficking is a problem in Belize

Belize is a small country in Central America with a population of fewer than 500,000 citizens, but it attracts a large number of tourists—over a million cruise visitors and nearly 500,000 overnight visitors each year. While prostitution is legal in Belize, the buying of sexual services is not. Related activities such as operating a brothel, loitering for the purpose of prostitution, and soliciting sex are also illegal.

The government of Belize has been accused of complicity in human trafficking. In 2018, the government did not investigate any public officials for complicity, despite serious allegations. Law enforcement officials are untrained in handling trafficking cases, and many are involved in protecting traffickers. It is not uncommon for off-duty police officers to work as security for brothels, and officers may turn a blind eye to sex trafficking to protect their side jobs. Victims may be reluctant to go to the police for protection because they know that some officers directly benefit from their exploitation. However, the police commissioner of Belize has stated that police will no longer be allowed to perform these "special duties," and the government has established a formal working relationship with the Human Trafficking Institute to improve its response to human trafficking.

The Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Act of 2003 combats trafficking in Belize, but the maximum penalty is low compared to other countries—only 5 years' imprisonment or a $5,000 fine. The low probability of perpetrators being convicted has allowed the trafficking industry to thrive. However, in 2020, Belize celebrated its first human trafficking conviction since 2016, indicating some progress in the country's efforts to address this issue.

Associated activities such as operating a brothel are illegal

While prostitution is legal in Belize, associated activities such as operating a brothel are illegal. This includes owning, managing, or assisting in the management of a brothel, as well as providing premises for prostitution. In addition, liquor licensing laws in Belize prohibit prostitution in bars.

The laws in Belize treat prostitution offences as nuisances, and penalties are typically small. Despite the illegality of brothels, they are widespread in the country, with Orange Walk Town reputed to have the highest concentration.

Some hotels in Belize operate a "ficha" system, where prostitutes rent rooms, attract clients in the bar, and receive commission on the drinks bought by clients before going to the rooms. The rent for the room is then taken out of the commission. These hotels are often connected to nightclubs or go-go bars.

The Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act Chapter 98 also prohibits "common prostitutes" (women who have previously received a police warning) from soliciting in a street or public place for the purpose of prostitution. "Male persons" are subject to similar restrictions, prohibiting them from loitering for the purpose of prostitution or persistently soliciting for immoral purposes.

While prostitution may be legal in Belize, the buying of sexual services is illegal. This means that while a person can legally sell sexual services, they cannot legally be obtained by paying for them.

The country is a destination for sex tourism

Belize is a small country in Central America with a population of fewer than 500,000 citizens, yet it attracts a large number of tourists, with over a million cruise visitors and nearly 500,000 overnight visitors each year. The country boasts gorgeous wildlife, clear waters, rich hues, and a lively culture. Belize has also largely avoided the rampant development seen in many of its neighbouring countries, as its government is committed to protecting its natural wonders.

However, despite its beauty and attractions, Belize has a reputation for being dangerous, particularly its largest city, Belize City, especially after dark and in neighbourhoods off the beaten path. The country has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, and gangs operate near the Guatemalan border, which is close to some tourist sites. Nevertheless, the Belize Defence Force regularly patrols these dangerous areas, and tourists are rarely affected by gang activity.

Belize is a destination for sex tourism, and prostitution is widespread, taking place on the streets and in brothels, bars, nightclubs, and hotels. While prostitution is legal in Belize, the buying of sexual services is not, and associated activities such as operating a brothel, loitering for prostitution, and soliciting sex are also illegal. The laws regarding prostitution are not commonly enforced, and law enforcement officials are often corrupt.

Sex trafficking, including child sex trafficking, is a significant problem in Belize, and the country is a source, transit, and destination for men, women, and children subjected to this horrific trade. Foreign child sex tourists, primarily from the United States, exploit child sex trafficking victims in tourist regions. Sex trafficking occurs in bars, nightclubs, brothels, and domestic service, and LGBTI individuals are particularly vulnerable.

Some hotels in Belize operate a "ficha" system, where prostitutes rent rooms, attract clients in the bar, and are paid a commission on the drinks bought by clients before they go to the rooms. These hotels are often connected to nightclubs or go-go bars.

The country's best-known brothel, Raul's Rose Garden, which was popular with British soldiers before their withdrawal in the 1990s, was burnt down in June 2011. To combat the spread of STIs, including HIV, and through inter-governmental agreement, some brothels were set up exclusively for British troops stationed in the country. Prostitutes, many from Guatemala, were required to carry photo identification and undergo weekly health checks, and condom use was mandatory.

Despite the government's denial, Belize's status as a destination for sex tourism is undeniable, and the country's failure to adequately address human trafficking has resulted in its ranking as a Tier 3 country by the United States Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

The laws are commonly not enforced

While prostitution is legal in Belize, the purchase of sexual services is not. Other activities related to prostitution, such as owning or operating a brothel, soliciting sex, and living off the earnings of prostitution, are also illegal. Despite these laws, they are often not enforced, and law enforcement officials are frequently corrupt.

Brothels, though illegal, are widespread in the country, with Orange Walk Town reputed to have the highest concentration. Some hotels even operate a "ficha" system, where prostitutes rent rooms and attract clients in the hotel bar, receiving commission on the drinks bought by clients. The rent for the room is then taken out of their commission.

Belize has gained a reputation as a destination for sex tourism, with the country's best-known brothel, Raul's Rose Garden, having been popular with British soldiers before their withdrawal in the 1990s. The country also has a problem with child sex tourism, serving visitors primarily from the United States. Sex trafficking is also a significant issue, with Belize being a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children. The Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Act of 2003 was implemented to combat trafficking, but the maximum penalty is low compared to other countries—5 years' imprisonment or a $5,000 fine.

The ambiguous legal situation in Belize permits slavery to occur, with human trafficking victims being exploited as sex workers. The US State Department has ranked Belize as a Tier 3 country, indicating that the government does not fully comply with the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. This ranking is due in part to the complicity of government officials, including those at high levels, in human trafficking-related offenses.

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