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Are protective tools against STIs readily available during festival?- Ms Laurel Freeman

-Ministry of Health & Unite BVI offering protective kits @ festival village
Ms Laurel Freeman, the Director for Family, Children, and Support Services at the Ministry of Health and Social Development, has questioned whether protective tools are readily available for individuals who wish to engage in sexual activities above the legal age of consent. Photo: Facebook
The Ministry of Health and Social Development, together with UNITE BVI, have partnered to present Emergency Party Kits during the Emancipation Festival. Photo: Facebook/Government of the Virgin Islands
The Ministry of Health and Social Development, together with UNITE BVI, have partnered to present Emergency Party Kits during the Emancipation Festival. Photo: Facebook/Government of the Virgin Islands
Road Town, Tortola, VI- Ms Laurel Freeman, the Director for Family, Children, and Support Services at the Ministry of Health and Social Development, has voiced significant concerns about the availability of essential protective tools for individuals who wish to engage in sexual activities above the legal age of consent.

Ms Freeman articulated these concerns during an interview on the health-focused program ‘Health Bytes’, which was broadcast live on Facebook on Friday, July 25, 2025. 

The conversation was aired ahead of the festivities for the 71st Emancipation Festival, which was officially opened on Friday. 

Citing data from recent health reports, she indicated that the incidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) has risen alarmingly in the Virgin Islands (VI), with over 200 new cases reported in the past five years alone.

In light of these statistics, Freeman posed critical questions about the accessibility of condoms, particularly during the festive season when social engagements typically surge.

She asked, "Do young adults over the age of 16 know where they can obtain condoms? Are these protective tools readily available for those who may choose to engage in sexual activity?" 

Ms Freeman stressed the importance of confronting these issues rather than ignoring them, insisting that the community must not "bury our heads in the sand."

She emphasised that it is crucial to provide individuals with the resources necessary to make informed and responsible decisions regarding their sexual health. 

Parents should take an active role

Additionally, Ms Freeman called on parents to take an active role in addressing sexual health topics with their children—especially those under the age of consent, which is established at 16 in the Virgin Islands. 

She stated that these critical discussions should revolve around the emotional and psychological implications of early sexual encounters. 

"We need to ask ourselves, do young people have the emotional maturity to handle the complexities that come with being sexually active?" she challenged, underscoring the necessity of equipping children with the knowledge and understanding to navigate these significant life experiences responsibly.

Emergency Party Kits

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Social Development, together with UNITE BVI, have partnered to present Emergency Party Kits. 

These kits include various sexual protective items and will be available at the Police Booth in the Festival Village. 

“Whether planned or spontaneous, stay safe and prepared! Ask for the kit, scan the code and fill out a quick survey,” the social media post promoting these emergency kits said. 

12 Responses to “Are protective tools against STIs readily available during festival?- Ms Laurel Freeman”

  • (26/07/2025, 13:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rap it up
  • Get up jack (26/07/2025, 14:08) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    I don't go them thing. My circle don't go them thing either so idc . If y'all and the young people wanna enjoy that kinda lifestyle they just gotta bear the consequences. I won't feel bad for them either. You got to know what choosing for yourself. make Yuh bed and lay in it.
    Can't feel bad or pitty people who make stupid decisions. Sad part is there's less and less decent women and men out there so if your offspring looking a proper person them might be salt or have a very difficult time.
    #sexyred
    #gucci 3rdleg
  • THINK! (26/07/2025, 14:50) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why an age restriction? Protect who needs it and that can be below 16. I remember back in the day Popeye gas station was the place to get free protection. The gas attendances were trained and protection was provided at the time people needed it in a professional manner with no question and no government officers involved, it was community based.
  • change (26/07/2025, 19:43) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    Change the age of consent to 18 years…. I think we need to stop being so slack.. Yes give access to protection but it’s time we move this age.. at 16 you aren’t mature enough…not even 18yrs olds are mature enough but if I can drive etc and I’m considered an adult…Then let sex be an adult decision legally.
  • Oooiii (27/07/2025, 00:34) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lemme ask ayo something. Ayo have free sanitary napkins available to ladies? Menstration is not a choice, it’s nature however having sex is a choice. But here it is ayo sharing condom and lubricant and all kinda a thing to enable them hot teenager to go reproduce and 9 months from now pop out things and can’t afford to care for them. They grow up in broken homes and so the never ending cycle continues. My point, stop wasting money behind facilitating sex and facilitate access to pads, not damn condoms. Buy ayo own. Jaaah !
  • Save your breath (27/07/2025, 02:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This gen don’t have time
    Everyone thinks they won’t get AIDs aka HIV aka THE BIG A
    Aka Positive
    Call what u like it is what it is
  • Trini (27/07/2025, 02:17) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why or when festival is about sex
    In my mid 40s coming from the mother of all carnival
    The greatest show on earth I’ve never found myself neither that of my cousins to mix with ppl furthermore look man
    We go out and if is washroom time we all go together we never venture out to strangers and we only go and come back as a group meeting n having sex is no where on our minds and we feteing from 16 years old to now
  • Give them out (27/07/2025, 02:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Gas station the youths won’t go to no police boots for condoms
    Also condoms can be seen jus about anywhere for sale I mean if u offering them free maybe give ppl on entry
    Individuals won’t go ask they’ll feel embarrassed to do soo
    Maybe have it offered on exit who don’t need it won’t bother and who Does will take them

    Beside rum in they head nobody have time rum males u invincible

  • No wonder it spread (27/07/2025, 09:23) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    These opinions are the reason why there is no proper education that is the biggest enabler of catching diseases. When covid was here people wore a mask and took a vaccine. A mask & vaccine will not encourage you to go out of your house to get food and water but it is what you needed to be protected. When giving out condoms pick the kind that will make people want to use it again. Age of consent and drinking should stay at 16. Drinking or age of consent it has never been a problem. Follow others and there will be underage drinking problem. Most teen pregnancy happen to students at BVI high and most fights too. Lack of proper education and guidance. No other schools. All were young once. The youth have the internet to see what they want. Teach them right, let them get tested and dont make it difficult for them to be prepared.
  • wellsa (27/07/2025, 14:20) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is momo failure went to SDD for her advice and the crap she tell me big waste
  • QTNA (27/07/2025, 21:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where the sex offender list?
  • Listener (28/07/2025, 10:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think your missing the whole point, while they are giving an option for safe sex and prevention of std, they are not promoting sex, its an option if you are active. Also sex is a choice a personal decision, if truth be told no one is suppose to provide condom for a decision that you are making.


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