VERJ

The VERJ group is made up of NGOs and individuals who have been active in promoting amendments to the Sexual Offences Act in Jamaica.

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

Keep informed about the deliberations of the JSC, and recommendations made by VERJ and its partners.
Sign up: https://t.co/gZ4hx8LZzW

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

The activities surrounding sex work should be decriminalized and the offence of living on the earnings of prostitution should be repealed.

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

The Evidence Act provides that spouses are exempt from giving Evidence. This shouldn't apply to cases of sexual abuse of children

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

The Areas of Focus are Compellability, Decriminalizing Sex Work, Vulnerable Populations, Positions of Trust and Authority
#SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

VERJ will be presenting now #SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

MNS: Children who are convicted under sexual intercourse with a person under 16 are being automatically registered as sex offenders.

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

A child can be registered as a sex offender currently. Automatic registration should'nt apply for children. That should be left to the judge

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

Repeat offenders at the Parish Court level should be registered as Sex Offenders
#SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

MNS: Offences committed under section 3 of the Child Pornography (Prevention) Act should be included in the First Schedule of the SOA

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

11-12 months is too long to allow the monitoring of offenders. Sex offenders should be obligated to report to the centre within 5-6 months

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

The first issue is the reporting period for sex offenders at registration centres. It is too lengthy.
#SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

Their presentation is focused on the Sex Offender Registry
#SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

The Ministry of National Security will be presenting now
#SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

She questions if violation and consent were the center of the legislative framework that would change the rape culture in society
#SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

Seantor Johnson-Smith asks if the narrative around 'Grievous Sexual Assault' has become so complicated that it seems less severe than rape

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

ODPP makes the point that jurors often have misconceptions about rape that are promoted by culture, and so public education is important

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

Floyd Green asks if the problem of low convictions lies in the jury, or how the evidence is gathered.
#SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

ODPP makes the recommendation that the knowing or reckless transmission of an STD to a partner should be a criminal offence
#SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

The ODPP now compares the statistics of murder and rape for each parish
#SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

ODPP: Having the option of using either the Parish Court or Supreme Court to try cases of Grievous Sexual Assault is valuable #SOAReview

[VERJ @VERJ_JA]

The Office of the DPP will present now. Adley Duncan will lead the presentation #SOAReview