Amid reports that more than 200 cases of physical and sexual abuse involving children have been recorded in Antigua and Barbuda so far this year, Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Rawdon Turner is advocating stringent measures including a minimum 15-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of sexually abusing a child.
Turner told a townhall meeting here that the number of abused children could be much higher as many cases go unreported.
‘When you see a headline that a 50-year-old male would have abused a five-year-old child, think about that. A five-year-old child,’ Turner said, adding that the severity of such offences demands a stronger response from the justice system and society as a whole.
Later Turner, outlining plans for a national discussion on child abuse, told state-television that he is in support of legislative changes to establish minimum sentences for offences involving the abuse of children, acknowledging that there could be exceptional circumstances that warrant judicial discretion and that those circumstances could be clearly defined in legislation.
But he insists that there must be a firm minimum penalty to send a clear message that the sexual abuse of children will result in significant prison time.
‘There must be a starting point where we’re going to tell society, if you violate a child, someone so innocent, you must do time in prison. You must be removed from the society,’ he said, noting that existing laws provide for severe penalties for the abuse of children under 14.
The minister said that despite those provisions, offenders in some cases receive sentences of only a few years or probation.
‘The maximum penalty for abusing a child under the age of 14 years old is life imprisonment. When last have you heard anyone in this country being sentenced to life for abusing a child?’
Turner said that his comments are not intended as an attack on the judiciary and that the central issue must remain the protection of children and the wider public.
The Minister argued that stronger minimum sentences could help prevent such cycles and provide greater protection for children, expressing support for Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s recent position on taking stronger action against serious crime.
The government has since reaffirmed its commitment to an independent judiciary as it defended Prime Minister Browne recent criticisms over his recent statements regarding the sentencing by courts here.
Browne’s statement had drawn comments from several organisations including the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA).
Turner said the severity of some child abuse cases has generated anger and frustration within the wider society, warning that the country must act through its laws and institutions rather than allow public frustration to develop into vigilante justice.
‘Before we become a society where we have vigilante justice, something has to give. Changes have to be made,’ Turner said maintaining that the Executive, Parliament and Judiciary each have a responsibility to protect society.
‘You can’t look in the face of your children and say, we’re not going to do all that we can to protect them,’ he said, warning that failure to adequately protect abused children could have long-term consequences, including the possibility that some victims may themselves become abusers.
Turner said he was shocked when he was first exposed to the statistics surrounding abuse of vulnerable people after assuming responsibility for the ministry nearly two years ago.
‘As a citizen, you would see headlines in the newspaper or you may see Facebook posts over time, and you believe that you have an idea of what’s taking place in terms of abuse of our children in Antigua and Barbuda.
‘But I can say that the public doesn’t know. We don’t understand,’ he said, adding that the figures have forced him to confront what he described as a deep-rooted problem within Antiguan and Barbudan society.
‘…the village raises a child. We’re at the point now where the village is abusing our children,’ Turner said, adding that the country must have an honest and frank discussion about the nature and extent of child abuse and develop practical solutions to address it.