Stiffer Penalties for Sex Crimes in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
The Parliament of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has passed, with bi-partisan support, stiffer penalties for some sex crimes, including increasing the penalty for sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 15 years.
Background
Before Thursday’s law revision, the maximum sentence was five years imprisonment. It has now been increased to 15.
New Penalties
The penalty for intercourse with a defective person has moved from five years imprisonment to 15 years. The maximum sentence for indecent assault on a child under the age of 15 has been doubled to 10 years imprisonment. In all other cases, the maximum penalty has been increased from two to five years.
Prime Minister’s Statement
"It’s a significant increase," said Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who is also minister of legal affairs. "Of course, honorable members will know that many of these offenses are often compromised or covered up in certain communities. And that is an ongoing issue of education and interface between police and complainants and Ministry of National Mobilisation, the counselors, teachers, pastors, and so on."
Revised Law
Under the revised law, the penalty for causing or encouraging prostitution of a girl under the age of 15 has been increased from seven to 15 years. Causing prostitution of a woman has moved from 14 to 15 years imprisonment, the same as for detention in a brothel, a man living on earnings of prostitution, a woman exercising control over a prostitute, or keeping a brothel.
Evidence and Prosecution
Gonsalves emphasized the importance of credible admissible evidence in successful prosecutions. "Very often, Mary may tell Janes, who tells Ephraim, who tells the police. But you can’t get Mary to tell you because what Jane gets there is hearsay. And if it doesn’t fall under one of the exceptions to the hearsay rule, it would be inadmissible in evidence."
Conclusion
The revised law aims to address the issue of sex crimes and ensure that perpetrators face stiffer penalties. The government hopes that this change will help to prevent such crimes from occurring and to provide justice for victims.
FAQs
Q: What is the new maximum sentence for sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 15?
A: 15 years imprisonment
Q: What is the new maximum sentence for indecent assault on a child under the age of 15?
A: 10 years imprisonment
Q: What is the new maximum sentence for causing or encouraging prostitution of a girl under the age of 15?
A: 15 years imprisonment
Q: What is the new maximum sentence for incest?
A: 20 years imprisonment