PRESS RELEASE

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda –Member of Parliament for St. George and Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Hon. Michael Freeland, has joined Minister for Social and Urban Transformation Hon. Rawdon Turner in calling for stronger protections for children and tougher penalties for perpetrators of sexual abuse following the recent case involving the sexual abuse of a five-year-old child.

Freeland said the disturbing incident has reignited an important national conversation about child protection and whether Antigua and Barbuda’s existing legislative framework provides sufficient deterrence for those who commit such heinous crimes.

“Violence of any kind is unacceptable. Whether it is physical, emotional, psychological or verbal, violence leaves lasting scars on individuals, families and communities. However, sexual violence occupies a particularly grave category because of the profound and often lifelong trauma it inflicts on survivors,” Freeland said.

The St. George MP emphasized that sexual abuse extends far beyond physical harm, leaving deep emotional, psychological and mental wounds that can permanently shape a survivor’s life, relationships and sense of security.

He noted that when such acts are committed against children, the impact is even more devastating.

“Children deserve to grow up in environments that are safe, nurturing and free from exploitation. Any act that robs a child of their innocence is an assault not only on that child but on the valueswe hold as a nation,” he stated.

Freeland expressed solidarity with Minister Rawdon Turner, who has also publicly voiced concern about abuse in all its forms against children, stressing that safeguarding young people must remain a national priority.

He said the recent case has prompted widespread public concern and renewed debate over whether sentencing laws should be strengthened to better reflect the severity of offences committed against minors.

While reaffirming the importance of judicial independence, Freeland said Parliament has a responsibility to continuously assess whether existing legislation adequately protects children and holds offenders fully accountable.

“It is entirely appropriate for us as a society to examine whether our laws should be strengthened to better protect our children and hold offenders more fully accountable,” he said.

Freeland also stressed that protecting children should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of families directly affected by abuse.

“This conversation should not be limited to those who have personally experienced abuse or whose families have been directly affected. Protecting children is a shared responsibility. We should not have to wait until a tragedy touches our own household before we recognize the urgency of safeguarding the most vulnerable among us. This is fundamentally a human rights issue and a matter of national responsibility.”

The Minister called on parents, educators, faith-based organizations, community leaders, civil society groups and every citizen to unite in advocating for stronger child protection measures and legislative reforms, including tougher penalties for those convicted of sexually abusing children.

“Those who prey on our children must understand that such conduct will be met with the full force of the law,” Freeland declared.

As a parliamentarian, Freeland said he remains committed to supporting legislative reforms that strengthen child protection, improve accountability and place the safety and dignity of children at the centre of the nation’s priorities.

“The measure of any society is reflected in how it protects its most vulnerable. Let us stand together to ensure that every child in Antigua and Barbuda can grow up free from fear, abuse and exploitation,” he said.

The statement comes as public calls continue to grow for a review of the country’s laws governing sexual offences against children, with many citizens urging lawmakers to introduce stiffer mandatory penalties for perpetrators.