Restitution to victims

(1) The court may order a person convicted of an offence under this Act to pay restitution to the victim. (2) The court shall, in determining the amount of restitution, take into account– (a) the costs of medical and psychological treatment to rehabilitate the victim; (b) the costs of physical and occupational therapy for the victim; (c) the costs of necessary transportation, housing and child care of the victim; (d) the degree of emotional distress, pain and suffering experienced by the victim; and (e) any other loss suffered by the victim. (3) The fact that the sexual exploitation of the victim was intended to bring profit to the offender or that the offender is part of an organized criminal group or network shall be an aggravating factor justifying the imposition of an increase in the restitution otherwise payable to the victim as determined by the court. (4) Where the court orders payments to the victim in restitution, the court shall set a time limit within which such payment shall be made to ensure that the payments are made to the victim promptly upon conviction and the absence of the victim from Belize shall not prejudice the victim’s right to receive such restitution.