The new law makes amendments to the former law that will strengthen and update our legal regime regarding the abuse of minors.
The president said the law also makes it more likely that child abuse will be reported and by giving our prosecutors the tools they need to obtain convictions and sentences that effectively punish the convicted offenders and deter political offenders.The law also expands the obligations of people who are in the positions of trust with minors to report immediately any suspected abuse to the proper authorities.The new law also provides a clearer and more accurate definition of child abuse and allows prosecutors to use out-of-court statements by minors under 12 in the prosecution of their cases and for children to testify outside the presence of their abusers.The new change in the law is also about extending the statute of limitations for prosecutions to be undertaken.This change will give victims more time to come to terms with their abuse and report it.The new law also provides expanded penalties for those convicted of child abuse and requires the abusers to have their names published prior to their re-entry into the society.The president however questioned a provision in the new bill regarding the payment of half of any monetary penalties levied against a sex abuse offender to be paid to the “victim, or guardian, or next of kin.”The president said that it is not clear however if the payment is for the personal use of guardian or next-of-kin or whether it must be held in trust for the benefit of the child.The president said that it does not address the issue of where the money will go.“While I am concerned about the implementation, the effect and the need for this provision, I believe the overall benefit of this bill outweighs this issue, and accordingly I have chosen to sign this bill rather than refer it,” the president said.
