Portia urges for debate on sex offences bill

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller wants parliament to debate the sexual offences bill before the Christmas recess.



She says women and children are living in fear because of an increase in sexual attacks against them.



Mrs Simpson Miller says the bill needs to be urgently debated in order to address these matters as soon as possible.



A joint select committee last year analysed and suggested changes to the way the law treats sexual offences.



Among its recommendations, the joint select committee suggested a merging of the Offences Against the People Act and the Incest Act into one.



It also expanded the categories of persons who can be charged for incest to include caregivers.



Another recommendation was for the establishment of a sex offender’s registry.



The debate on the motion is expected to continue in the House on Tuesday.