Speedy justice is on the cards for victims of sexual offences in Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean.
The Model Guidelines For Sexual Offence Cases In The Caribbean Region, part of a CAN$19 million (just under BDS$30 million) Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (Jurist) Project presented to Chief Justice Marston Gibson yesterday, will contribute to timely adjudication and long-term reduction in case backlog for sexual offences.
The guidelines are also designed to “reduce secondary victimistion of complainants and witnesses” and “facilitate greater co-ordination among justice sector actors along the justice chain”.
Barbados is the first jurisdiction in which the model guidelines have been launched and after hearing the touching story of sexual assault survivor Alicia Bailey yesterday, the Chief Justice said that through the document, law enforcers, the judiciary and other support services connected to the administration of justice in the area of sexual assault would be on the same page for action. (GC)
Please read the full story in today’s Midweek Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
