Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, includes residential and business “complainant” in relation to a complaint, means the person by whom or on whose behalf that complaint is lodged; “complaint” means a grievance lodged under section 10 of this Act or a matter referred to the Court for inquiry as a complaint pursuant to section 11 of this Act; “Court” means a court of summary jurisdiction in the judicial district where the complaint arises; “employee” includes apprentices, persons on probation, full and part- time employees and commission agents; “employer” includes the Government of Belize, statutory authorities, quasi-government bodies and any other employer; “employment” includes part-time and temporary employment and work under a contract of services; “fellow worker” in relation to an employee, means another person who is employed by the employer of that first- mentioned employee; Protection Against Sexual 6 “functions” includes powers, duties, obligations and rights; “institution” includes schools, colleges, universities, other places of learning or training, prisons, places of custody for minors and the elderly, and medical and mental institutions; “Minister” means the Minister for the time being responsible for Human Resources; “respondent” in relation to a complaint, means the person who is alleged to have done the act to which the complaint relates; “supervisor” in relation to a person, means a fellow worker who by virtue of his employment is in a position of authority over that first- mentioned person; “unwelcome sexual advances” means conduct of a sexual nature which is unwelcome, undesirable or offensive to the person to whom that conduct is directed. (2) Any reference in this Act to conduct of a sexual nature in relation to a person includes a reference to the making, to or in the presence of, a person, of a statement of a sexual nature concerning that person, whether the statement is made orally or in writing.