Mather Urges Action on Sex Offenders Registry
Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy Mather has called on lawmakers to urgently advance the draft Virgin Islands Sexual Offences Bill, 2025. Mather emphasized the critical need for a formal sex offenders registry to track convicted individuals and safeguard children. He warned that the Territory cannot afford to delay legislative action until another child is harmed.
Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy Mather has urged the Government of the Virgin Islands to expedite the passage of the draft Virgin Islands Sexual Offences Bill, 2025, warning that the Territory must act swiftly to strengthen legal safeguards for children. Speaking on the proposed legislation, Mather pressed for the establishment of a formal sex offenders registry.
The proposed system would enforce rigorous reporting requirements, establish clear penalties for non-compliance, and implement monitoring provisions for convicted offenders entering or returning to the British Virgin Islands. Mather noted that while public consultations on the draft bill were initiated by the government in March, tangible legislative progress is now required.
He underscored that parents need the support of robust laws to ensure the safety of their households, adding that the framework must be grounded in lawful convictions and due process rather than public rumours or vigilantism. The push for legislative reform comes amid mounting public health and safeguarding concerns involving vulnerable youth in the Territory.
Ronald Georges raised alarms over sexually transmitted infections and transactional sexual relationships involving adolescents and older adults. The health report pointed to serious power imbalances where sex is exchanged for money, gifts, transportation, or accommodation, creating significant legal and safeguarding risks.
Regionally, Caribbean jurisdictions have also intensified efforts to monitor sexual offenders. In September, Antigua and Barbuda announced measures to transition its existing sex offenders registry into a publicly accessible system complete with photographs, moving away from restricted-access controls.
Mather reiterated that while offender rehabilitation has an important role within the justice system, child protection must remain the overarching priority for lawmakers. He called on his colleagues in the House of Assembly to take decisive responsibility and advance the bill into law without further delay.
Primary source: BVI Platinum