Child molesters are being sifted out – Justice Charles
This is according to outgoing High Court Judge Indra Hariprashad-Charles.
Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online recently in an exclusive interview, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Judge stated, “We have come a long way to bringing awareness to the school children hence there is a rise in reports of sexual offences coming to the courts.”
During the month of April, the two units go to schools throughout the VI and educate students of what are the “good touches and bad touches”.
“I would imagine these things happen in the past, but more and more young children are coming before the court and speaking about their encounters,” she added. “A few cases were reported to the police during that month when these presentations were taken place.”
What impresses Justice Charles, who has been a Judge in the VI jurisdiction for the past seven years, is that both the Family and Juvenile Unit and SDD take charge very early to help young victims, which is very important psychologically for the victims.
For this year alone, between 15 and 20 cases were before the Magistrate's and High Courts, with several accused men incarcerated for their crimes. One of the most high profile cases saw former legislator Andre Penn receiving 12 years for sexually abusing his niece.
Asked if the high numbers in the VI are startling than in other Caribbean jurisdictions, Justice Charles stated unfortunately the social ill is rampant in the Caribbean. She pointed out that though in some instances the Virtual Complainants (VCs) might have been willing participants, the court is faced with a legal ingredient - for a girl under the age of 16 cannot consent to intercourse.
As for the perpetrators, who are currently serving prison time, Judge Charles is regretful that in some of her judgements she did not insist that they receive counselling.
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