CPJSC Calls for Stronger Child Safeguards at Public Events

The Child Protection and Justice Steering Committee (CPJSC) is calling for stronger child safeguarding measures at public events across Belize following concerns raised by scenes involving children during this year’s Carnival celebrations.

The national child protection body said children should be able to participate in cultural, sporting and community events in environments that are safe, age-appropriate and respectful of their dignity and rights.

While recognizing Carnival as an important expression of Belizean culture, creativity and community, the CPJSC stressed that behavior considered acceptable between consenting adults is not automatically appropriate when children are involved.

The committee is urging event organizers, public officials, parents and caregivers to strengthen safeguards and ensure that children’s participation reflects their age and developmental stage.

Among the measures being recommended are clear codes of conduct for adults interacting with minors, including a prohibition on sexually suggestive dancing between adults and children. The CPJSC also wants these standards communicated clearly to performers, staff and participants, with procedures in place to report and address violations.

The committee is further calling for age-appropriate participation, including reviews of children’s choreography and costumes before events and restrictions on children participating in performances featuring adult themes.

Other recommendations include the establishment of designated family spaces at public events, offering children age-appropriate entertainment and adequate supervision.

The CPJSC also emphasized the importance of awareness and rapid response. Families and participants should be informed of safeguarding expectations, while trained child protection personnel, supported by law enforcement where necessary, should be available to respond promptly to concerns involving a child’s safety or dignity.

The committee is also urging members of the public, media outlets and content creators to exercise particular care when recording or sharing incidents involving children.

It said images and videos that could identify a child involved in a safeguarding concern should not be published or reshared. Further circulation, reposting or commenting on such material can expose children to unwanted attention and potentially prolong the harm, the committee warned.

According to the CPJSC, concerns surrounding children can be reported and discussed without exposing the children involved to additional public scrutiny.

“Adults are responsible for maintaining the boundaries that protect the safety, dignity, and well-being of children,” the committee said, emphasizing that this responsibility continues after an event ends and when cameras begin recording.

The CPJSC said Carnival and other public celebrations can continue to provide children with opportunities to experience Belizean culture, creativity and community, provided appropriate safeguards are in place.

The committee described child protection as a shared responsibility and said protecting children today is essential to creating a foundation for them to grow, thrive and contribute positively to Belize’s future.

The CPJSC serves as Belize’s national coordination body for child protection and child justice. It brings together senior representatives from the judiciary and legal sector, government agencies, advisory bodies, UNICEF Belize and civil society organizations, with the aim of keeping the best interests of children at the center of decision-making and strengthening responses to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.