Sexual Offences Amendment Bill to be sent to Special Select Committee

The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026 has been referred to a special select committee of the National Assembly for further scrutiny following its presentation by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, during Monday’s sitting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The bill seeks to amend the Sexual Offences Act, Cap. 8:03, to reform the country’s laws relating to sexual offences and provide for the establishment of a National Sex Offender Database.

In presenting the bill, Dr Persaud said the amendments are intended to strengthen protections for vulnerable adults and children and address gaps identified in the existing legislation.

“This is a pivotal piece of legislation and a moral and legal obligation to protect the most vulnerable in our society,” the minister told the National Assembly.

Dr Persaud explained that the proposed amendments build on the Sexual Offences Act of 2010, which she described as a necessary and progressive measure that provided important protections for victims of sexual offences.

She noted that a review of the legislation revealed several gaps and inadequacies that now require stronger legal measures.

“It is time to move this piece of legislation to close those gaps and inadequacies and to close them with robust, modern and uncompromising measures,” she stated.

The minister told the house that the amendments were developed through a nationwide consultation and gap analysis process involving the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

She said the review also included constitutional and rights commissions, legal and judicial stakeholders, civil society organisations, faith based groups, indigenous and regional leadership and members of the disciplined services and public service.

Among the key changes proposed in the bill are the modernisation of definitions and terminology, provisions relating to digital and visual evidence, strengthened victim privacy protections, greater accountability in the reporting process involving healthcare workers and police, and the creation of a National Sexual Offences Task Force and National Sex Offender Database.

Dr Persaud said the legislation reflects the need for the justice system to keep pace with technological changes while ensuring stronger safeguards for victims.

During her presentation, the minister also expressed condolences to the families affected by the MV Barima tragedy.

The proposal was agreed to by the National Assembly under Standing Order 58, and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026, Bill Number 6 of 2026, was formally committed to the Special Select Committee for detailed examination. [DPI]