Is it time for a sex offenders registry in the BVI?
Does BVI need a sex-offenders registry?
That question is gaining traction as Richard Ullger, interim Acting Police Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), sounded the alarm on what he called a growing tide of child sexual exploitation across the territory.
Ullger’s warning — linking rising reports of child-sex crimes, domestic abuse, and cyber-enabled offences — has reignited calls on social media and within the community for stronger preventative measures. One such measure: a sex-offenders registry. The concept is relatively straightforward: a formal database of individuals convicted of sexual offences, especially those involving children, used to track where they live, work and travel, ostensibly to protect potential victims and help law-enforcement detect re-offending or suspicious activity.
Supporters argue that such a registry helps communities know if convicted offenders are living nearby, that the state can monitor their whereabouts, and that authorities can check registrants’ travel and re-entry.
In the Caribbean, there are examples: Jamaica operates a registry under its Sexual Offences Act of 2009, managed by its Department of Correctional Services. Offenders convicted of defined sexual crimes must register and remain on file — typically for at least 10 years — and must notify authorities of changes in address or employment.
Trinidad and Tobago passed an amendment in 2019 making its sex-offender registry public and accessible online — the first CARICOM nation to do so. Names, photos, and details of offences for convicted persons are now made available to the public under that law.
Belize maintains its own registry, under law: upon release, sex offenders must report personal details to police, including aliases, residence, employment — failure to do so can mean fines or prison terms, and offenders remain listed for at least 10 years.
Here in the BVI, the idea isn’t new. In 2018, cabinet ministers said they had “on many occasions” discussed establishing a registry, and recognised that people convicted elsewhere — “travelling here” or repatriated — pose a potential risk. Yet the government stalled, citing legal and logistical problems in cross-referencing with other jurisdictions.
Lawmaker Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather has renewed the push. Mather, a Territorial At-Large representative, has argued that the BVI is already home to people with criminal records — including repatriated offenders — yet parents and caretakers remain unaware. He points out that neighbouring territories such as Anguilla, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Antigua and Barbuda reportedly maintain registries.
“Our children need to be protected,” he told the House of Assembly.
Proponents say a registry could deter predators, force transparency about where convicted offenders live and work, and aid authorities in keeping track after release.
Critics — including some in the 2018 discussions — warn that without regional cooperation, offenders may simply relocate across islands, and that in a territory as small as the BVI, a publicly available registry could risk stigmatisation, vigilantism, or discourage rehabilitation of reformed offenders.
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Yes we 100% should have one. Any against it is very suspect.
Yes.
Same for Ministers Register of Interests.
Beneficial ownership of VI Companies.
Where the $5 Million went.
What is in the SECRET airport KPMG report.
Cabinet Minutes.
Tender decisions and reasoning.
Lets get these REgisters and this Information available.
and don’t forget, the corrupt peoples register
And let’s not forget to list those on the Down Low also!!
Is this really a question to be asked?
Sexual predators should be stigmatized: that’s a really nasty habit! And the reality is they are very hard to reform.
The real question is, Why don’t we already have a sex offender registry?
Why? I would say because most of dem in power would be on it
This shouldn’t even be up for discussion it is 2000% needed, hurry it up!
This is the sort of legislation we expect our government and PARTICULARLY the women in the government to be championing. Instead, they are in the HOA giving themselves salary increase and passing the Greedy Bill. SMH
Look at it from this perspective, Everything that the those in power are against, just take it as they shoving things under the rug because them or their family member or friend involved. These things in anybody sane and right mind would be beneficial for the ppl and the country, so tell me why wouldn’t it be a priority if it wasn’t for saving face of those ppl want to believe are so holy and of good grace. These ppl are literally wolves in sheep clothing, you have to have your head so deep in the ground not to see this
And even worse, behind the scenes the high-profile family members of an accused blame the victim for leading him along.
Tortola third financial pillar, hiding the secrets of criminals world wide…lawdy this place a mess, the devil’s playground if i must
1000%. Shouldn’t even be a question.
everybody seem to agree that it needs to be done but for some reason it still can’t be done. just like everything else with this government.
Some ah dem who jumping up
On social media will get auite
There should be standards for people who run for political
Office
Rape charges should be one that bar them form ever being part of the legislative bench
The BVI is a very crooked place and that is why they do not want a tegister soo long they talking bout it. rape nad domestice abuse register
Lots of females are raped and it is pushef under the rug .Some families hush it down. What a sick minded set of crooked bastards we have walking aroung in the society
I mean from the moment there was a news article where grown men were giving sex drugs to primary school kids at the festival grounds I thought y’all would of rush into that by now……
But yea keep an eyes on the guidance counselors, pe teachers, taxi man, etc etc
Wanna know how the age of consent got to 16? Somebody elite family member or friend got caught up with a minor and the elite politicians rushed to change the law to make it 16…..
So if you wondering why them been dragging their feet and ignoring a sex offenders list then you guess is good as mines
Let Us watch and See who will be out there Protesting against it. Let us First debate it in the HOA and Listen to the Comments. Should have long been off the table But We see this is Not a Priority for Many. Poor BVI.
YES