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Minister Hermangild Francis
Serious consideration is being given to raising the age of consent in Saint Lucia, due to what Minister of National Security Minister Hermangild Francis describes as a breakdown in the island’s social fabric.
The minister told a media conference on Monday (Jan.30) that he has had discussions with Attorney General Stephen Julien about the possibility of raising the age of consent from 16 to 18.
Francis said too many children are having children, suggesting that the permission for sex is too much of a responsibility for a 16-year-old, who also cannot vote.
“That is where the problem is because if you notice the people who are getting involved in crime are very young people and that means that the family has broken down so we need to correct that,” he asserted.
The minister said in cases where young ladies have gone to the hospital and had children and there is information that they have been abused, the state will take on the responsibility for them.
While acknowledging that there might be a lot of opposition to this initiative, he said it is necessary if Saint Lucia is is to fight crime in a holistic way, tackling it from its root.
He said programmes also need to be developed to enlighten parents of their responsibilities; to educate men and women about morality and teach them that they have a responsibility not to exploit anyone.
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