Lower House Passes Tougher Sexual Offences Law as MPs Demand Better Protection for Children

The House of Representatives passed the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Monday after a debate in which lawmakers described the abuse of children by relatives, caregivers and other trusted adults as a national crisis.

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin presented the bill, which amends the Sexual Offences Act, 1995. It increases penalties for several offences against minors, including sexual intercourse with a child under 16 and incest committed by an adult with a person under 18. Those offences can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The bill also addresses sexual offences involving children in an adult’s care and how courts assess complaints of sexual assault.

Sir Steadroy told the House that Parliament had a duty to send a clear warning to offenders. “If you do the crime, you do the time,” he said. He described cases involving children abused within their own homes and argued that adults entrusted with a child’s care must face severe consequences if they exploit that trust.

The Attorney General said the amendments also recognise that victims may delay reporting an assault because of fear, humiliation or their relationship with the alleged offender. A delay, he explained, should not automatically be treated as evidence that a complaint is false.

Opposition Leader Jamal Pringle supported the legislation but argued that Parliament should go further by examining the age of consent. “I believe the time has come ... for us to move this age of 16 ... to 18,” he told the House. Pringle also requested clarification on provisions dealing with incest and sexual intercourse involving a minor employee.

St. Peter MP and Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Rawdon Turner drew on cases reported to his ministry. He questioned short sentences imposed in cases involving very young children and urged adults to believe children who report abuse. “You have to start believing the children,” he said.

Barbuda MP Trevor Walker supported the bill’s purpose but urged care in applying provisions on indecent conduct and welcomed a route for courts to consider exceptional circumstances. “I share the sentiments with St. Peter,” he said of Turner’s call for firm action against those who abuse minors.

Education Minister Daryll Matthew focused on children’s safety at school.

Referring to concerns about adults approaching students near school grounds, he urged educators who know of suspected predators to “say something.”

Matthew also backed a national discussion about raising the age of consent.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne participated through questions and interjections as the Attorney General explained provisions of the bill. Sir Steadroy later referred to the Prime Minister’s concern about the age of consent and said the government would examine whether it should rise to 18.

The bill passed its committee stage without amendment and then received its third reading. The age of consent remains 16; changing it would require separate legislative action. The Lower House’s passage is also not, by itself, the completion of every step required for the measure to become law.