The Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent Wheatley, recently provided an update on the development of the Sexual Offenses Registry Bill.
The minister, who assured the House of Assembly that the government is dedicated to safeguarding children and enhancing public safety through the establishment of a comprehensive sex offender registry, spoke in response to a question from Deputy Speaker and At-Large Representative Honourable Stacy Mather.
Minister Wheatley confirmed that his Ministry has received a draft of the Sexual Offenses Register Bill, which will form the foundation of a new legal framework designed to monitor and track sex offenders within the Virgin Islands.
He noted however that the proposed registry legislation needs to be part of a broader legislative initiative. According to Minister Wheatley, the Attorney General’s Chambers has advised that the Sexual Offender Register Bill must be accompanied by amendments to related laws to ensure an effective, cohesive legal structure.
Wheatley noted that while drafts of some of the necessary amendments have been received, others are still pending. In the interim, the ministry has been conducting its own internal reviews.
The health minister emphasized that, despite the lengthy legislative process, the ministry is committed to delivering enforceable laws that protect the community. He assured the public that the registry, alongside accompanying legislative changes, would be a substantial step in safeguarding vulnerable groups, particularly children.