Turner’s Call Answered as Government Moves to Open Sex Offenders Registry

Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Rawdon Turner has welcomed Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s decision to move towards making Antigua and Barbuda’s Sex Offenders Registry publicly accessible, describing it as an important first step in protecting the nation’s vulnerable children.

Turner had publicly called for greater access to the registry during the recent National Child Protection Town Hall Meeting, where survivors, government officials, law-enforcement representatives, educators and child-protection professionals discussed the growing problem of child abuse.

The minister told those attending the meeting that the identities of convicted sex offenders should be made known to the public. He went further, suggesting that their names and photographs should be displayed on billboards as a warning to families and communities.

His position was that parents and guardians should not be left unaware that a person convicted of a sexual offence may be living or operating near their homes, schools or communities.

Turner has now commended Browne for agreeing that the registry should be opened to the public, including the publication of photographs of those listed.

The minister believes the move is among the first concrete steps needed to strengthen child protection in Antigua and Barbuda.

He said greater public awareness could help parents, schools, churches, sporting organisations and community groups make informed decisions about the people permitted to interact with children.

The development comes against the backdrop of troubling child-protection figures presented during the town hall meeting.

Director of Family and Social Services Feona Charles-Richards disclosed that 287 child-protection cases had been reported so far in 2026. Of that number, 30 involved allegations of sexual abuse, while the remaining reports included physical abuse, neglect and other threats to children’s safety and welfare.

The numbers represent reported cases and may not reflect the true scale of abuse in the country.

Turner previously warned that many incidents remain hidden because children are afraid to speak, families sometimes refuse to report offenders, and victims may face threats or pressure to remain silent.

He told the meeting that for every case reported, there could be three others that have not reached the authorities.

The urgency of the issue was further underscored by the emotional testimonies of survivors during the town hall. Their accounts exposed how abuse can continue for years when warning signs are overlooked, disclosures are dismissed or children are forced to return to unsafe environments.

Turner believes public access to the Sex Offenders Registry would give communities another tool to identify potential risks and take precautions before another child is harmed.

Prime Minister Browne announced on Saturday that he had instructed Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Sir Steadroy Benjamin to take the necessary legal and administrative steps to make the registry publicly available.

Browne acknowledged that concerns have been raised about whether publishing the names and photographs of convicted sex offenders could infringe their constitutional rights. However, he argued that those concerns should not override the public’s right to know who has been convicted of sexual offences.

The proposal would significantly change the way the registry operates.

Although Antigua and Barbuda’s Sex Offenders Registry came into effect in November 2022, it has never been freely available to the general public. Under the existing system, eligible people seeking information must apply through the Commissioner of Police before access can be granted.

A public registry could potentially include an offender’s name, photograph, conviction and other identifying information.

However, the Government has not yet announced exactly what details will be published, which convictions will qualify, how long individuals will remain publicly listed or whether restrictions will apply to the use and distribution of the information.

The minister has pledged to continue the national conversation through additional child-protection town halls and other community initiatives.

Further information is now expected from the Office of the Attorney General on the amendments or regulations required, the information that will be published and the date on which the public-access system could begin.