Sexual Offences against Minors have been escalating in Trinidad and Tobago over the last four months. Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in society, and the Government has a moral and legal responsibility to do all that it can to PROTECT OUR NATION'S CHILDREN. What is frightening is that 95% of the offenders are persons close to the victims. These perpetrators would normally be released on bail leaving little or no options for the victims' peace and protection. A number of the victims have been sexually molested over prolonged periods as long as five to six years in some instances; research conducted by the Int'l Women's Resource Network shows that such victims treat the abuse as "accepted and normal" behaviour. The IWRN is making a STRONG and URGENT PLEA for amendments to the Sexual Offences Act of Trinidad and Tobago making the following categories NON-BAILABLE:

(1) REPEAT OFFENDERS

(2) PERPETRATORS WHO HAVE BREACHED BAIL CONDITIONS, SHOULD HAVE THEIR BAIL REVOKED AND REMANDED IN CUSTODY UNTIL THE MATTER GOES BEFORE THE COURT AND

(3) PERPETRATORS WHO SEXUALLY ASSAULT THE VERY VULNERABLE MINORS INCLUDING THE HEARING AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED, AUTISTIC AND MENTALLY SUB-NORMAL.