A copy of the new Child Protection Bill is now available on the Government of Anguilla’s website www.gov.ai. Members of the public are encouraged to review the Bill and provide any feedback that may have to the Hon. Attorney General Mr. John McKendrick via email at john.mckendrick@gov.ai and/or to the Permanent Secretary, Social Development, Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake via email bonnie.lake@gov.ai
The purpose of the Child Protection Bill is to protect and promote the well-being of all children and to give effect to Anguilla’s obligations concerning the well-being, development and protection of children in terms of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Bill is based on the need to take legislative action to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to protect them from harm. Under the new Child Protection legislation, Social Workers in the Department of Social Development will have more provisions at their disposal to keep children safe from harm and to intervene on behalf of children to prevent abuse. Additionally this bill will enable children to give evidence without having to face the alleged perpetrator in Court.
A legal draftsperson has been engaged to develop this piece of legislation as part of a wider legal reform process which will—amongst other provisions–establish a Family Court. In addition to the Child Protection Bill currently being developed and the Domestic Violence Act which has already been enacted, the Ministry of Social Development in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Chambers is developing a group of Family Law Bills which seek to:
(i) increase the capacity of the judicial and legal system by providing laws that address issues surrounding women, children and the family thereby enhancing the administration of law and the quality of justice, and
(ii) strengthen institutional capacity by creating a climate that would facilitate greater access to justice by resolving matters related to the family and children in a more holistic manner
Members of the public are encouraged to review the Child Protection Bill found on the Government of Anguilla’s website www.gov.ai and provide any feedback to john.mckendrick@gov.ai and/or bonnie.lake@gov.ai
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
