‘Move this legislation forward’- Hon Mather on sex offender registry
“When it comes to protecting our children, we cannot wait until another child is harmed before we act. That is why I have raised the need for a sex offender registry in the House of Assembly,” he said during Mather Minute posted to his Facebook Page on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
A sex offender registry, he added, is not about rumours, accusations or taking justice into our own hands, but it is about having a proper legal system to monitor persons convicted of serious sexual offences and putting in safeguards to protect children.
“Parents do everything they can to keep their children safe; our laws should help them do that.”
Time to move legislation forward
Hon Mather said a draft bill was prepared and public consultation is taking place.
Earlier this year, the government invited the public to review the draft Virgin Islands Sexual Offences Bill, 2025
“Now we need to move this legislation forward. We need strong reporting requirements, consequences for non-compliance and provisions addressing convicted sexual offenders who enter or return to our territory.”
One child harmed is too many
Hon Mather, who has long advocated for this sex offenders registry in the House of Assembly, added that while rehabilitation has its place, the safety of children must always be a priority.
“One child harmed is one too many. We cannot protect our children from every danger, but where we can put safeguards in place, we have a responsibility to do it.”
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22 Responses to “‘Move this legislation forward’- Hon Mather on sex offender registry”
Some media companies have their own agenda.
Hon Mather is one of our better Dirty 13. But has disappointed on his quest for power and has lost his credibility for the most part.
It is hard to imagine though, anyone who does not think this should be brought forward as soon as possible. It is a disgrace and shame on the Virgin Islands that there is not one in place already.
Well done Hon. Mather for pushing on this item. We should all be doing so.
But, people should not imagine this is a list that they can access, but more likely a resource for the responsible agencies to use to keep our population safe and for those that need it, under control.
Raw data of numbers involved would of course be very useful so as a society we can have mind to the scale of the problem that needs to be addressed.
A lot of y'all will be shock who names will easily make the list.
A lot of them working around your kids daily and y'all don't even know cuz matters always handle internally and even if it reach police you don't hear about it the news. All you hear about is drug bust and robberies. But trust me pedophiles and sex offender are very prevalent in the BVI
I just hope he not pushing the list just cuz election coming up to look good
You still cross the floor and still haven't done much since then. You were more argumentive on the opposite side but like you gone quiet since you cross. ..
Protecting children should never be reduced to a talking point. If there is broad agreement that a registry is needed, then the focus should be on passing the necessary laws, implementing the system, and ensuring it is properly enforced.
The public has heard the promises. What they now need to see is meaningful action. When it comes to safeguarding children, endless discussion is no substitute for results.
Idk what so hard to understand that grown men and women should not go on top of a minor
You think is okay for a grown hard back groom and ride of a 10yr, 11 yr 12 yr, 13yr +old child??
You think is okay for someone who commited rape or inappropriately touches someone should be free to concealed their identity and continue to work or apply in places that involved vulnerable people? Imagine a rapist working as a fitness instructor.
Imagine a pedophile working as a guidance counsellor for your child?
Imagine a pedophile working in a day care?
Imagine a rapist working hospital or elderly home?
Would you want your daughter around a man known for grooming minors and riding them off?
Would you mind you kids catching a std or hiv from pedophiles in the territory?
Would want a guidance councillors dealing with your child and having private sessions under the guise of work?
Bvhsa went on the news stating recent hiv cases involving very young people (more than likely students judging from the rumours)
I have heard rumors of people in the highschool riding of the minors and when they graduate they stop studying them and jump onto the next young girl in that very school. That person still working at that school and still employed despite being caught up in several scandal's
You people are sick.
Wake up people !!!
It is not normal for a grown man to be talking to a minor
It is not normal for a grown woman to be talking or in a relationship with a minor or someone several years younger than them
It is not normal to be touched inappropriately while hitchhiking for a ride in Tortola!!
Get these sick freaks on a list so the public can protect themselves!!
I don't care if tola too small and words spread if that was the case we would know who all have hiv by now!!
Should tje dude who waz accused of rape but got off be on the lizt?
We want to support you, even with all your mis-steps, because you've always been down with helping and protecting the youths.
But do you think you're bigger than the program?
If the Epstein type, global elites who live and visit our outer islands cannot be held accountable on this sex offender registry list, it doesn't go far enough.
Or is it just for the peasants and wanna be local elites to keep them in checked. Keep the peasants busy with divide and conquer tactics, while the global elites carry on with their lifestyles with no repentance.
There is a reason why Epstein was taken out. Think!
Let's hope you're not a plant, with Quid Pro Quo, investment infusion payback. You're already borderline with the complexion, for the protection, of the European collection, but you still have our DNA running through your veins.
If it goes all the way, we behind you 100, but doubtful. We will wait and see.