The Parliament of St Vincent and the Grenadines has recently made an important move towards protecting the country’s young girls.

The parliament has passed a law with bi-partisan support that imposes stricter penalties for certain sex crimes, including increasing the penalty for sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 15 years. Previously, the maximum sentence for such a crime was five years imprisonment.

However, it has now been raised to 15 years, a significant increase that is intended to deter would-be offenders.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who is also the minister of legal affairs, presented the amendments to lawmakers and highlighted that in the country, no girl under the age of 15 can legally consent to sexual intercourse.

Gonsalves, who is a lawyer, also pointed out that the maximum penalty for sex with a girl under the age of 13 is life imprisonment, reflecting how seriously these crimes are taken in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

However, Gonsalves also acknowledged that many of these offenses are often compromised or covered up in certain communities.

He stated that this is an ongoing issue of education and interface between police and complainants, as well as with other relevant parties such as the Ministry of National Mobilisation, counselors, teachers, pastors, and so on.

In other words, increasing the penalties for such crimes is not enough; there is also a need to raise awareness, promote education, and support victims and their families.

The passing of this law is a positive step forward for St Vincent and the Grenadines, and it is hoped that it will serve as a deterrent for those who would seek to harm young girls.

Under the revised law, the penalty for intercourse with a defective person has been increased from five years’ imprisonment to 15 years.

“It is fitting that we are discussing these issues during Child Awareness Month, following our previous discussions in March when the select committee met, a month dedicated to women and their concerns.”

Lawmakers have also raised the maximum sentence for indecent assault on a child under 15 to 10 years’ imprisonment.

In all other cases, the maximum penalty has been raised from two years to five years.

“Incidences of indecent assault vary in severity, as legal practitioners and individuals in society are aware.”

Gonsalves mentioned that indecency with a child, previously punishable by a maximum of one year in prison, will now result in up to 10 years of imprisonment.

Anyone who allows premises to be used for sex with a girl under 15 will now face up to 15 years’ imprisonment, an increase of one year from the previous law.

Moreover, the penalty for a girl aged 13 but under 15 has been raised from seven years to up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The prime minister emphasized that many individuals may not be aware that this is a criminal offense.

“I would like to highlight the following for public awareness: ‘A person who owns or manages any premises and knowingly allows a girl under 15 to be there for the purpose of sexual intercourse is committing an offense and can be imprisoned,’ Gonsalves stated.

“In some cases, certain groups, such as gangs, may provide a place where a young girl is brought not for sexual purposes but for other reasons.”