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By Gary EleazarLast evening Human Services and Social Security Minister Priya Manickchand successfully piloted the Sexual Offences Bill with the overwhelming support of all Members of the National Assembly.Following the completion of the parliamentary process involving the passage of the Bill and recognizing the need for,New England Patriots Jerseys, importance of and personal sacrifice made by Minister Manickchand in getting the Bill through the House successfully, Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran said that the country owes her a debt of gratitude.In relation to the objectives of what the Bill is seeking to achieve,Eric Rowe Patriots Jersey, Ramkarran told the House that as long as there is the will, “all things are possible.”In the wrapping up of her presentation to the house on the Bill, Manickchand thanked all who were involved in the compilation of the legislation but issued a passionate challenge to all members of the House to take it upon themselves to become the leaders of change in a society where Sexual Offences have become a scourge.Manickchand told the members of the House that for there to be success as it relates to the provisions of the Bill, the Members of the House had to be instrumental in effecting attitudinal changes.The Minister called on the members of the house to take it upon themselves to select a section of the Bill and embark on an education campaign as it relates to the provision of the laws.In her initial presentation,Dave Robinson Packers Jersey, she had told the house that for several decades now there have been calls by many groups and professionals to have the archaic laws as it relates to sexual offences such as rape carnal knowledge among several others updated.The Minister recalled that when she assumed office in 2006 there was a draft Bill, but there was no consensus among the stakeholders and as such ordered that this be changed.A white paper was first established which resulted in the countrywide ‘Stamp it out’ Campaign which involved Guyanese of every social strata and demographic of the country. “This Bill is what the people cried out for….we have heeded the call of the people we swore to serve.”Manickchand emphasized that they sought to modernize the laws, pointing to the many reports in the media of sexual abuse, particularly against children, “and we see how archaic our present laws are.”In seeking to point out some of the changes, Manickchand said that firstly the definition of rape was expanded as well as the inclusion of several new offences with stiffer penaltiesShe drew reference to the fact that the law will also see the establishment of a Sexual Offences Unit, a National Task Force for the prevention of Sexual Violence as well as the establishment of the Sexual Offence Court.People’s National Congress Reform Vice Chairman and Parliamentarian Basil Williams was also high in praise for the achievement more so given that the Bill emerged from a widespread consultative process.He urged that the other Ministers follow suit and consult with the relevant stakeholders before presenting Bills to the House.“The Bill is one of few that apply consultative democracy…you can’t have a law that transforms the life of people without consultation,Lynn Swann Steelers Jersey, “said Williams.He added too that one of the appealing provisions of the Bill was the fact that matters will now not be able to, “brush under the carpet,” reports of sexual offences given that it provides timelines for charges to be laid following a report, or else culpable ranks will be held accountable.Minister of Culture,Stephen Gostkowski Patriots Jersey, Youth and Sport,Brett Favre Packers Jersey, Dr Frank Anthony, in his presentation to the House said that the legislation was very forward looking,Sammie Coates Steelers Jersey, in light of the fact that sexual abuse has a wide-ranging spectrumHe said that with the passage of the Bill, a clear message will be sent to the perpetrators of the heinous offences that they are serious about addressing the issue.Latchmin Punalall of the Alliance For Change commended the Bill,Steve Bartkowski Falcons Jersey, stressing that there is need for the eradication of sex crimes in Guyana. She advised the Minister that it may be a wise idea to have a database of sexual predators which could be continuously updated and trackedPublic Service Minister Jennifer Westford who served as a member of the Special Select Committee on the Sexual Offences Bill said that sex crimes are a serious issue which not only affect the victim at the time but in the future.Guyana Action Party Member of Parliament Everall Franklin also commended the work of the Minister and her team that made the Bill possible.He added that it is comforting as a father to see a Bill of such a far reaching nature pass through the National Assembly pointing out that the scourge of sexual offences has reached horrendous levels.Franklin said that it was important Guyana’s laws are constantly updated and are simplified.He did point out though that law on paper is all well and good, but it is essential that the necessary resources to give effect to the law be put in place.“We have to put our money where the law is…you can have the best laws but if proper resources are not in place it will mean nothing.”He added also that there must be police ranks dedicated to sexual offences report also calling for the urgent establishment of a witness protection programme.“We have to put in place resources to bolster laws.”PPP/C Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall in his presentation to the debate said that the legislation was historic, in that it causes an amalgamation of all of the various sexual offences laws into one comprehensive Bill,Sean Davis Steelers Jersey, even to the point of adding new offences.Nandlall conceded that Guyana has an unusually high rate of crime, particularly when it comes to sexual offences especially against women and children.