Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterA PROPOSAL for rape offenders to receive a minimum 25-year prison sentence was yesterday approved in the Senate.
The vote came after debate on a private members motion, tabled in May by Government Senator Norman Grant, tackling the high number of murders and sexual offences against children.
Senator Grant, in opening the debate, said stringent measures must be implemented to protect the nation's youth.
"Let us not leave it to the discretion of the judge," he said. "As long as the rule of law is followed let us as lawmakers send a strong signal that we are serious about the protection of our children."
Senator Grant also stressed that the nation must do everything possible to bring child killers to justice and that "no one should have any comfort that they will kill an innocent child and feel that they have (even) a one per cent chance of getting away."
SPECIFIC POLICE UNIT
The Government senator also suggested that a specific unit be established in the police force to investigate cases of child abuse and neglect. He said the unit would be expected to monitor all cases and drive preventative measures against the various forms of child abuse.
The motion was overwhelmingly supported with several other members, including Opposition Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, recommending that the role of the Children's Advocate be expanded.
"She (the Children's Advocate) is within the narrow confines of the (Child Care and Protection) Act but we could look at the act to increase the protection that she can give to children and the rights of children," Senator Lightbourne said.
Meanwhile, she also recommended that the Offences Against the Person Act be brought back before a Joint Select Committee of Parliament, for review, to make it clear as it relates to carnal knowledge and abuse of girls above 12 and under the age of 16.
"At present, it is a misdemeanour of seven years and there has been call by other groups in society that it is really statutory rape," Senator Lightbourne said. "It is really misleading because the section uses age as the criteria."
She added: "I think we need to bring it back and look at it and the section should be amended to make it clear and to leave no doubt that a girl under 16 cannot consent and if sexual intercourse takes place with her the person is subjected to life imprisonment!"
In 2004, 119 children under 18 were murdered while 105 were killed last year. Fourteen have been killed since the start of this year.
