Help Us Protect Our Children: Raise the Age of Sexual Consent to 18
The Issue
My name is Miss Françoise Bowen, and I am from Antigua and Barbuda. I am the Author of the book Stolen Innocence. A Tale of Survival and Triumph. , which tells my true story of sexual abuse. The abuse began when I was five years old and continued into my teenage years while I was in high school.
I know the pain that sexual abuse can cause. That is why I am speaking out and asking you to help protect our children.
During my interview on ABS Television on 1 September 2026 , I called for stronger laws and better protection for children in Antigua and Barbuda.
Our country has agreed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This agreement generally recognizes people under 18 as children and requires countries to protect them from sexual abuse and exploitation.
"Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, "the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth". Convention of the Rights of the Child. We are asking our Government to raise it from 16 to 18, with stronger protection for teenagers aged 16 and 17.
We want our Government and Parliament to:
. Raise the age of sexual consent to 18. The law should also carefully consider relationships between young people who are close in age, where neither person is being pressured or exploited.
. Protect both boys and girls. Men and women who sexually abuse or exploit children must face serious consequences.
. Hold parents and guardians accountable if they arrange, allow or make money from the sexual exploitation of children.
. Make it easier for children to report abuse safely and receive counselling, support and justice.
. Teach children about consent, personal boundaries and how to recognize abuse.
Changing the law must form part of a wider effort that includes effective enforcement, public education and support for survivors. Children who experience abuse must receive protection, care and access to justice.
I urge the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and all Members of Parliament to make this reform a national priority. Our commitment to child protection should be reflected in our laws, public services and the progress we present at international gatherings such as CHOGM.
Every child deserves to feel safe at home, at school and in the community.
Please sign and share this petition. Help us call for stronger laws and better protection for our children in Antigua and Barbuda.
God bless.
Miss Françoise Bowen
Author, Stolen Innocence: A Tale of Survival and Triumph
81
The Issue
My name is Miss Françoise Bowen, and I am from Antigua and Barbuda. I am the Author of the book Stolen Innocence. A Tale of Survival and Triumph. , which tells my true story of sexual abuse. The abuse began when I was five years old and continued into my teenage years while I was in high school.
I know the pain that sexual abuse can cause. That is why I am speaking out and asking you to help protect our children.
During my interview on ABS Television on 1 September 2026 , I called for stronger laws and better protection for children in Antigua and Barbuda.
Our country has agreed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This agreement generally recognizes people under 18 as children and requires countries to protect them from sexual abuse and exploitation.
"Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, "the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth". Convention of the Rights of the Child. We are asking our Government to raise it from 16 to 18, with stronger protection for teenagers aged 16 and 17.
We want our Government and Parliament to:
. Raise the age of sexual consent to 18. The law should also carefully consider relationships between young people who are close in age, where neither person is being pressured or exploited.
. Protect both boys and girls. Men and women who sexually abuse or exploit children must face serious consequences.
. Hold parents and guardians accountable if they arrange, allow or make money from the sexual exploitation of children.
. Make it easier for children to report abuse safely and receive counselling, support and justice.
. Teach children about consent, personal boundaries and how to recognize abuse.
Changing the law must form part of a wider effort that includes effective enforcement, public education and support for survivors. Children who experience abuse must receive protection, care and access to justice.
I urge the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and all Members of Parliament to make this reform a national priority. Our commitment to child protection should be reflected in our laws, public services and the progress we present at international gatherings such as CHOGM.
Every child deserves to feel safe at home, at school and in the community.
Please sign and share this petition. Help us call for stronger laws and better protection for our children in Antigua and Barbuda.
God bless.
Miss Françoise Bowen
Author, Stolen Innocence: A Tale of Survival and Triumph
Petition Updates
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Petition created on 30 September 2026