Landmark sexual offences court launched

Chief Justice (acting) Roxane George addressing the gathering at the launching of the court. (Ministry of Social Protection photo)

Moments after opening the first ever Sexual Offences Court in the Caribbean, the local judiciary yesterday launched the Model Guidelines for Sexual Offence Cases, which are to be implemented in the Caribbean region.

The guidelines are an initiative of the Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project, funded by the Government of Canada, and executed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Speaking at the launch at the Pegasus Hotel, Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, of the CCJ, noted that the guidelines form part of a comprehensive approach towards improving the management of sexual offence cases and the treatment of witnesses and survivors of sexual offences.

Justice Rajnauth-Lee, who also chairs the Regional Sexual Offences Advisory Committee, said the guidelines are aimed at providing guidance to justice sector stakeholders, including judicial officers, attorneys, prosecutors, police and health and social care providers during the lifecycle of a case.