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Antigua and Barbuda is expected to establish its own Sex Offenders Registry by mid-September. This announcement comes from Public Safety Minister and Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin.
In a recent interview with state media, Minister Benjamin highlighted the extensive work that has gone into this initiative and stated that the registry will be operational within weeks.
“We will have it up and running soon, and I will make an official announcement to inform the public when everything is in place,” said Minister Benjamin.
Establishing the registry marks a significant step forward for the government of Antigua and Barbuda. This progress includes the passage of the Sex Offenders Registry Bill 2022, which is designed to reduce incidents of sexual reoffending and enhance public safety.
The Bill facilitates the monitoring of convicted sex offenders and allows for the sharing of information about these offenders with other jurisdictions within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
The Bill also permits individuals to apply to the Commissioner of Police to confirm whether a specific person is a registered sex offender. Another critical aspect of this development is determining who should have access to this information.
Minister Benjamin emphasised, “In my view if someone is a known sex offender who has committed a sexual act and is going to live in the community, it is only right and proper for the community to be informed that such an individual is among us a sexual predator,” Benjamin said.
Should have done this long time
I agree that the list should be out for a long time. Maybe they’re trying to remove some of their crony’s names off the sex offenders list before publishing it.
I will believe it when I see the list, Cutie Benjamin. The sex offenders list is long overdue. I hope the list will show where these sex offenders are living. As single parents (mothers), we need to know how close these sex offenders are living to us and our little girls and boys, even us adults. I hope Jailman Jamb’s or Jamb’s name is on that list, too.