Belize's Dark Secret: Prostitution's Grip On A Nation

Prostitution in Belize is legal, but the buying of sexual services is not. This means that while a person can work as a sex worker, they cannot legally obtain customers. This has created a contradictory situation where prostitution is widespread, but sex workers and their customers are engaging in illegal activity. Sex trafficking, including of children, is a problem in Belize, and sex workers are often exploited victims. The country is a destination for sex tourism, and sex trafficking. Belize is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour.

Sex trafficking and prostitution in Belize

Prostitution in Belize is legal, but the purchase of sexual services is not. Related activities, such as operating a brothel, soliciting sex, and loitering for the purposes of prostitution are also illegal. Despite this, prostitution is widespread and takes place on the streets, in brothels, bars, nightclubs, and hotels. Belize is also a destination for sex tourism, including child sex tourism, with visitors primarily from the United States.

Sex trafficking is a significant problem in Belize, with both government officials and law enforcement complicit in the trade. The country is a source, transit, and destination for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking. Foreign nationals, particularly from Central America, Mexico, and Asia, migrate to Belize in search of work and become vulnerable to traffickers who exploit them with false promises of well-paying jobs. Traffickers also target migrants with false job offers and leverage their illegal status to trap them into forced labor and sexual exploitation.

The Government of Belize has been working to improve its response to human trafficking. In 2017, a specialized anti-trafficking unit was formed within the Belize Police Department to investigate human trafficking cases and identify victims. In 2018, the police commissioner signed an agreement with the Human Trafficking Institute to continue the partnership and enhance their capacity to combat trafficking. Despite these efforts, little progress has been made in prosecuting traffickers, with a low probability of perpetrators being convicted.

The United States Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons has ranked Belize as a Tier 3 country, indicating that the Belizean government does not meet the minimum standards to combat human trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. This rating has been attributed to allegations of government complicity and the failure to investigate and prosecute traffickers effectively.

HIV and prostitution in Belize

Belize has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Central America, with a known prevalence of 2.5% of the population. Sex trafficking, including of children, is a problem in Belize, and sex workers are almost guaranteed to be exploited victims. Sex trafficking of Belizean and foreign women and girls, primarily from Central America, occurs in bars, nightclubs, brothels, and domestic service.

A study of 33 brothel workers in Belize found that although 77% of participants felt at risk of HIV, only 30% always used condoms and 43% did not refuse unprotected sex with clients. Participants' explanations for unprotected sex emphasised that clients' preferences often overrode workers' fear of HIV, and that the health benefits of using condoms were weighed against the social benefits of unprotected sex.

In the context of the military, there are two distinct forms of prostitution in Belize: 'recognised prostitution' in health-regulated brothels, and 'quasi-prostitution' in non-health-regulated sites such as bars and hotels. The social identity of sex workers is a crucial factor in understanding how public health information is incorporated by heterosexuals who put themselves at risk of HIV in different social contexts.

To combat the spread of HIV, a number of brothels were set up for the exclusive use of British troops stationed in the country. The prostitutes, many from Guatemala, had to carry a photo identification card and undergo weekly health checks. The use of condoms was mandatory.

From 2006 to 2015, HIV testing in women of reproductive age showed an increasing trend in Belize. However, women aged 15-24 were less likely to have been tested for HIV compared to women aged 25-34. Living in rural areas and households with the poorest wealth indices were associated with decreased odds of being tested for HIV. Interventions to expand HIV testing for women of reproductive age in Belize, particularly those in rural areas and with a low socioeconomic status, are recommended.

Prostitution in Belize and the law

Prostitution in Belize is a complex issue that involves a range of legal and social considerations. While prostitution itself is legal in the country, the buying of sexual services is illegal, creating a contradictory situation. Here is an overview of prostitution in Belize and the relevant laws:

The Legal Landscape:

Belize has legalised prostitution, but with important caveats. The purchase of sexual services is prohibited, as are associated activities such as operating a brothel, loitering for prostitution, and soliciting sex. This means that while sex workers can offer their services, the transaction of paying for those services is criminalised. The laws treat prostitution offences as nuisances, and penalties are typically small. However, it is important to note that these laws are not always strictly enforced, and law enforcement officials have been known to turn a blind eye or even be complicit in some cases.

Sex Trafficking and Child Exploitation:

Belize faces significant challenges when it comes to sex trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children. The country has gained a reputation as a destination for sex tourism, including child sex tourism, with visitors coming primarily from the United States. Sex trafficking is prevalent, and Belize is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to this horrific trade. The country's proximity to Guatemala and its position along known drug and human trafficking routes contribute to the issue. The Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Act of 2003 aims to combat trafficking, but the maximum penalty is relatively low compared to other countries, with a maximum of five years' imprisonment or a $5,000 fine.

Health Concerns:

The issue of prostitution in Belize is further complicated by health concerns. HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant problem in the country, and the voluntary nature of testing means that sex workers and their clients may be at risk. The use of condoms has been mandated in certain contexts, such as in brothels set up for British troops, but inconsistent testing and prevention measures contribute to the spread of STIs.

The Impact of Tourism:

Belize's thriving tourism industry, with over a million cruise visitors and nearly 500,000 overnight visitors annually, intersects with the issue of prostitution. Tourist areas, particularly those along the western border with Guatemala, have seen an increase in military patrols due to security concerns and human trafficking. Additionally, the presence of tourists contributes to the demand for prostitution and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, including children.

In conclusion, prostitution in Belize is a multifaceted issue shaped by legal loopholes, inadequate enforcement, health concerns, and the complexities of tourism. While prostitution is legal, the criminalisation of purchasing sexual services and associated activities creates a contradictory legal framework. The country's struggle with sex trafficking, child exploitation, and health risks underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect vulnerable individuals and address the root causes of these issues.

Child sex tourism in Belize

Belize is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking. While prostitution is legal in Belize, the buying of sexual services is not. This has created a situation where prostitution is widespread and occurs in streets, brothels, bars, nightclubs, and hotels. The laws surrounding prostitution are commonly not enforced, and law enforcement officials are often corrupt.

Although the Belize government denies it, the country is a destination for sex tourism, including child sex tourism, serving visitors primarily from the United States. In tourist regions, foreign child sex tourists exploit child sex trafficking victims. Sex trafficking of Belizean and foreign women and girls, primarily from Central America, occurs in bars, nightclubs, brothels, and domestic service. LGBTI men, women, and children are also vulnerable to sex trafficking.

The Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Act of 2003 was established to combat trafficking, but the maximum penalty is low compared to other countries—5 years' imprisonment or a $5,000 fine. The UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons has reported that family members facilitate the sex trafficking of Belizean women and girls. Foreign men, women, and children migrate voluntarily to Belize in search of work and are often exploited by traffickers who recruit them using false promises of relatively high-paying jobs. Some migrants are subjected to sex trafficking, and trafficking-related complicity by government officials remains a problem.

Sex work in Belize and the tourism industry

Belize is a country with a reputation for being a destination for sex tourism, despite the government's denial of this. Sex work in Belize is legal, but the purchase of sexual services is not. This means that while it is not illegal to be a sex worker, it is illegal to pay for sex. Associated activities such as operating a brothel, soliciting sex, and living off the earnings of prostitution are also prohibited.

Belize is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking. Sex trafficking, including that of children, is a significant issue in the country. In tourist regions, foreign child sex tourists, primarily from the United States, exploit child sex trafficking victims. Sex trafficking of Belizean and foreign women and girls, primarily from Central America, occurs in bars, nightclubs, brothels, and domestic service. LGBTI individuals are also vulnerable to sex trafficking. Foreign individuals, particularly from Central America, Mexico, and Asia, migrate voluntarily to Belize in search of work and are often exploited by traffickers who recruit them using false promises of relatively high-paying jobs.

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

Brothels in Belize have been shown to provide a degree of self-autonomy to migrant sex workers, particularly those from Latin America. However, a study of 33 brothel workers in Belize found that while 77% of participants felt at risk of contracting HIV, only 30% consistently used condoms, and 43% did not refuse unprotected sex with clients. The health benefits of using condoms were often weighed against the social benefits of unprotected sex, and clients' preferences often overrode workers' fears of HIV transmission.

To combat the spread of STIs, including HIV, and through inter-governmental agreement, some brothels were set up for the exclusive use of British troops stationed in the country. The prostitutes, many from Guatemala, were required to carry photo identification and undergo weekly health checks. The use of condoms was mandatory in these establishments.

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