The National Sex Offenders Registry is the official access point for information on persons convicted of sexual offenses in Belize. The primary purpose is to maintain official records on the identity and location of sexual offenders, as well as the details of their convictions. The registry aims to enhance the awareness of key agencies and ministries on the potential threat that sex offenders pose to the wider community.
Support for the modernization and full operationalization of the Belize Sex Offenders Registry is being provided by USAID through the Evidence-based Information Management on Citizen Security in Central America and the Dominican Republic (InfoSegura) Project. The UNDP and the Ministry of Home Affairs & New Growth Initiatives are partnering, through the Belize Crime Observatory, to implement this initiative. Several key partners and stakeholders are involved in the process.
Oversight for the administration, update and maintenance of the Sex Offenders Registry is the mandate of the Belize Crime Observatory, within the Ministry of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries, working in partnership with the Belize Police Department.
Offender Notification
In 2014, the National Assembly passed amendments to Belize’s Criminal Code (Chapter 101 of the Laws of Belize), paving the way for the establishment of the National Sex Offenders Database.
The law mandates convicted sex offenders to notify the police (either in person or in writing) of his/her name and any aliases, address and any subsequent change of address, date of birth and other particulars (such as occupation and place of work), as well as criminal convictions and corresponding sentences. Failure of a sex offender to notify the authorities, without a reasonable excuse, can result upon conviction in a fine of up to BZ$10,000, a 5-year prison sentence or both.
Sex offender details must be kept in the database for a period of 10 years, or longer if specified by the Minister responsible for Home Affairs or the Commissioner of Police. The database is to be updated whenever new information is received.
The Superintendent of Prisons is required to notify the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Human Services as soon as a sex offender is released from prison, after serving any sentence for a sexual offence.
- Arranging or facilitating the commission of a sexual offence involving a child
- Assault of a child under sixteen by penetration
- Carnal Knowledge with a child under age 14
- Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- Causing or inciting a person who is mentally [challenged] or has an unsound mind to engage in sexual activity
- Engaging in sexual activity i n the presence of a child
- Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a person who is mentally defective or has an unsound mind
- Forcible abduction
- Incest by females of or over sixteen
- Incest with an adult relative: consenting to penetration
- Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by a family member
- Indecent Assault
- Marital Rape
- Owner or occupier permitting use of premises for unlawful sexual intercourse
- Procuration
- Rape
- Rape of a child under 16 years
- Sexual activity between a child and a family member
- Sexual activity with a child
- Sexual activity with a person who is mentally [challenged] or of unsound mind
- Sexual Assault
- Unlawful sexual intercourse
Who can access the Registry
Access to the database is granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs & New Growth Initiatives (formerly the Ministry of National Security) or the Commissioner of Police. Persons who would like to have access to the database must make a written application, stating the reason for seeking access.
Principals, school managers, childcare facilities, and other entities responsible for the care and education of children may have access. This is specified in the law. The Minister for Human Development and any authorized official in the Ministry may also have access.
Persons with approved access to the database can log in at Belize Sex Offenders Registry. The site requires users to enter their username and password, as well as the verification code appearing on the log-in screen. Once you are logged in, you will be able to search the Offender Listing, which will provide biodata on offenders, as well as their location information.
ACCESS REQUESTS
Scan the QR Code below to open
the Request for Access form.
Please note that applicants must:
- Meet legal requirements
- Provide proper identification
- Fill in all required information
RELEVANT LAWS
