The Office of the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children (OSE), the Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Action Network (SCLAN), and with support from the Spotlight Initiative supported Belize’s safe houses with essential household items, groceries, and food hampers.

The three safe houses: Mary Open Doors, Haven House, and House of Docas all received support for their shelters totalling BZD$56,516. These safe houses provide an important service to victims and survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and 37 other forms of gender-based violence as they not only provide a physically secure place where survivors can have their basic needs taken care of, but they also provide other support services including referral services.

The OSE and SCLAN worked in collaboration with the safe houses to improve the quality of services provided and make them more accommodating and secure for their residents. Therefore, considering that these safe houses provide an essential service to the entire country, this initiative helped to provide the safe houses with the support that is essential to aiding survivors of gender-based violence when they are displaced and in need of a safe space for themselves and their children.