2008 Speeches

Sexual Assault Crimes Training Workshop (January 15, 2008)

Police Training Academy
Belmopan

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter

Good Morning. 

Before I begin my remarks, I would first like to thank Police Commissioner Westby for allowing us to hold this workshop at the Police Training Academy. 

Indeed, it is a pleasure to welcome members of the law enforcement community and members of Ministry of Human Development to participate in this workshop with District Attorney Susan Gaertner and Police Sergeant Paul Schnell.  They have traveled far from balmy St. Paul, Minnesota to suffer here in this Belizean winter weather. 

As you can see from their resumes, they bring a wealth of practical experience to share with you.  I know you will find their remarks informative and useful in your daily work.   This evening Ms. Gaertner and Sgt. Schnell will be giving a presentation at the University of Belize and tomorrow they will be addressing members of the Belizean judiciary and legal community in Belize City.

As you know, the subject of today’s sessions is the prosecution of sexual assault crimes with a focus on evidence gathering and investigation and interaction with victims of sexual assaults. 

Sexual offenders prey on the most vulnerable members of society, most often innocent women and children.   Last year, the Supreme Court of Belize dealt with 84 sex assault cases.  I don’t need to impress upon the police officers here that often as the first line of justice against these criminal acts, you have a sensitive and critical role in the just prosecution of these crimes: from your initial contact with victims of sexual assault crimes, to ensuring the most complete and effective investigation possible so that offenders can be held accountable.  Indeed, your first interaction with the victim may determine whether the victim gains confidence in the system and maintains a willingness and commitment to proceed and pursue their case, or not.  Your thoroughness in securing physical evidence, interviewing other witnesses, if any, and pursuing leads are critical to an effective prosecution.   Your actions and thoroughness are crucial also to protecting persons who might be wrongfully accused. 

When the U.S. assesses foreign governments’ anti-trafficking in persons efforts, we highlight the “three P’s” – prosecution, protection and prevention.  We hope this workshop will be of help to you in making the same assessment in terms of sexual assault crimes: how effectively are cases prosecuted; how well are victims protected; and is enough being done to prevent these crimes?

I am pleased that the United States Embassy is able to provide this training session to members of the Belize law enforcement and to employees in the Ministry of Human Development.   Our hope is that training sessions and workshops such as this one will encourage and stimulate a free-flow exchange of ideas and can perhaps create lasting partnerships that will continue into in the future.  Our mutual goals are to better ensure public safety, to provide compassionate support to victims, and to support the fair and effective administration of justice.  This training, combined with your hard work and dedication, is evidence of our shared commitment to combat sexual assault crimes and serve the ends of justice.

My hope is that all of you seek the maximum benefit from this experience and exchange of ideas – that you come away with a renewed appreciation of how to better assist a victim, to more effectively pursue your investigations, and possibly even prevent some of these heinous crimes altogether.   By strengthening the already robust cooperation between our law enforcement communities and working together, we can make a difference.

Thank you.