Latest news with #CommitteeforHomeAffairs
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Guernsey States agrees sexual violence law update
Guernsey politicians have agreed to draw up new, stronger sexual violence laws. The Committee for Home Affairs proposed creating new specific offences for spiking, stalking, suffocation or strangulation, female genital mutilation and sexual harassment in a public place. Deputy Rob Prow, President of the committee, said: "There's still a lot of work to be done but it just shows that domestic abuse and violence against women and girls will not be tolerated. And I think this sends out a powerful message." Once the new legislation has been drafted it will come back to the Assembly for approval. Prior to this being debated, Deputy Prow had given an update to States Members about the work done to tackle sexual violence. Prow said: "Our third sector partners are absolutely crucial to this. Safer, Victim and Witness Support and Safety Net. We worked very closely with them. It's about listening to stakeholders and working with them and engaging with them. "Also our partnerships with other committees. Of course the police played a major role in advising us and the law officers of the crown. So it's been a huge effort this term but now we're in a much better place but I must stress there is still work to be done." The Domestic Abuse Law was last updated in October. When asked about how the committee ensures the success of legislation, Prow said key performance indicators would be used. He said this was to ensure "the legislation we have brought forward is being used, that we are increasing convictions in the areas we need to and also that we are providing the support that these services are supposed to be delivering." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Stalking could become specific offence in Guernsey Call for action for catcalling to be challenged Campaigner calls for new sexual harassment laws States of Guernsey Guernsey Police
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey States agrees to update sexual violence law
Guernsey politicians have agreed to draw up new, stronger sexual violence Committee for Home Affairs proposed creating new specific offences for spiking, stalking, suffocation or strangulation, female genital mutilation and sexual harassment in a public Rob Prow, President of the committee, said: "There's still a lot of work to be done but it just shows that domestic abuse and violence against women and girls will not be tolerated. And I think this sends out a powerful message."Once the new legislation has been drafted it will come back to the Assembly for approval. Prior to this being debated, Deputy Prow had given an update to States Members about the work done to tackle sexual said: "Our third sector partners are absolutely crucial to this. Safer, Victim and Witness Support and Safety Net. We worked very closely with them. It's about listening to stakeholders and working with them and engaging with them."Also our partnerships with other committees. Of course the police played a major role in advising us and the law officers of the crown. So it's been a huge effort this term but now we're in a much better place but I must stress there is still work to be done." The Domestic Abuse Law was last updated in asked about how the committee ensures the success of legislation, Prow said key performance indicators would be said this was to ensure "the legislation we have brought forward is being used, that we are increasing convictions in the areas we need to and also that we are providing the support that these services are supposed to be delivering."
BBC News
05-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Stalking and spiking could become specific offences in Guernsey
Victims could soon have better legal protection in Guernsey under a proposal to introduce new specific sexual offences, campaigners have Committee for Home Affairs said the new specific offences included spiking, stalking, suffocation or strangulation, female genital mutilation and sexual harassment in a public Deputy Rob Prow said the measures were "much-needed in the 21st Century".Poppy Murray, a campaigner and chairwoman of charity SafetyNet, said it was "reassuring to see these serious issues being given attention". 'Real concerns' At the moment, there is no specific offence of stalking in the bailiwick, and it can be charged as Murray said: "These are real concerns in our community, and I believe that the proposed changes will help deter offenders while encouraging victims to come forward and report incidents."A new offence could see a prison sentence of up to 10 years for more serious stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress, said the are also plans to give police and court greater protection to victims and witnesses of these offences. This includes Stalking Protection Orders, which allow the police to address stalking concerns before they escalate, and introducing a register of serial domestic abuse and stalking offenders. 'Horrific offences' The proposals come after the creation of a domestic abuse and sexual violence strategy a new domestic abuse said the committee had "worked tirelessly during this term to vastly improve Guernsey's legislation around sexual offences and domestic abuse".He said the proposed changes would "allow the criminal justice system to properly deal with offenders who commit these horrific offences".The proposals will be debated by deputies next month.
