Within the past 48 hours, social media has been on fire over a child solicitation scandal. A social media post was in circulation in which a male adult was soliciting a 13-year-old schoolchild on Anegada. Photo: the filipinoexpat.com/File

Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE, the Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development and Digital Transformation, has called for stronger protections for children, following the reports of an inappropriate exchange between a well-known adult man and a 13-year-old girl. Photo: GIS/File

Hon Stacy R. Mather, MBE, an At-Large Member, continues to be at the forefront, calling for a Registry of Sex Offenders. The bill is with the House of Assembly. Photo: GIS/File

The young man, a prominent Anegada resident who has political ambition, is the culprit. It appears that he tried, via text messaging, to invite the child to talk to him, saying it must be kept between them both. The adult male told the 13-year-old child he wanted to make her happy after seeing her looking sad at school.

At one point, the child, according to the social media post in circulation, said she doesn't want to talk and stated her age. The information is believed to have been released by the child's father. He also expressed his disappointment in the adult male.

Police are also investigating the incident with help from social workers and education officials.  

The political class has also spoken out against the incident.

'I am deeply disturbed'- Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE

Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE, the Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development and Digital Transformation, has called for stronger protections for children, following the reports of an inappropriate exchange between a well-known adult man and a 13-year-old girl.

“I am deeply disturbed by the recent exchange I read between an adult and a minor. The psychological and emotional exploitation of our children is unacceptable,” Hon Smith said in a social media post.

Hon Stacy R. Mather, MBE, an At-Large Member, continues to be at the forefront, calling for a Registry of Sex Offenders.

The bill is with the House of Assembly.

Hon Mather said he shared the anger, shock and disappointment expressed by residents, but urged that investigators be allowed to carry out their work. “At this time, we must allow the relevant authorities to carry out their work,” he said.

“Sadly, incidents of this nature occur far too often, even when they do not come to public attention,” the first term legislator noted.

Hon Mather called yet again for the Virgin Islands Sexual Offences Bill, 2025 to move forward. There is also growing debate as to whether persons who have been acquitted of rape and other sexual offences should still appear in the VI Sexual Register.

Editor’s Note: Virgin Islands News Online's management and staff stand with the victims of sexual crimes and urge the Government of the Day to not only pass the VI Sexual Offences Bill, but also enforce current laws on the books to protect children and the elderly.