Antigua And Barbuda Parliament Approves Tougher Sexual Offences Legislation

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – Antigua and Barbuda’s parliament approved amendments to their sexual offences legislation, including a provision making sexual intercourse with a person under 16 an offence punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Attorney general and minister of legal affairs Sir Steadroy Benjamin said the changes were necessary amid concerns about sexual abuse involving children and what he described as inadequate sentences in some cases.

He outlined provisions that would make information about certain offenders available to communities after they have served their sentences.

Under the amended legislation, a person who has sexual intercourse with a minor under 16 would be guilty of an offence regardless of whether the minor consented or whether the accused believed the minor was 16 or older.

Benjamin said the provision recognises that a child’s appearance should not be used as a basis for determining their age.