A proposed Sexual Offences Act, which treats harshly crimes of a sexual nature, was accepted by both sides of the House during Tuesday's sitting of Parliament, paving the way for its enactment.

The new piece of legislation is intended to replace the Incest Punishment Act and provide stricter penalties for certain offences which are now dealt with by the Offences Against the Person Act, including rape and sexual assault.

It also provides for the establishment of a Sex Offender Registry to maintain a record of the particulars of sex offenders who are convicted.

Example of the law

Under the new law, for example, incest will no longer be an offence that can only be committed by a male, but by also a female. The offence has been expanded to also include any person who knowingly has sexual intercourse with an uncle, nephew, niece, aunt and grandmother.

Anyone found guilty under the law will now be liable upon conviction to life imprisonment.

Rape has also been defined under the Sexual Offences Act, as an offence that is only committed by a man against a woman. However, a man who commits rape can be equally punished with any person who commits a grievous sexual assault, a new offence covered under the law which is not restricted to any specific gender.

Sentencing conditions

A man who is found guilty of raping a woman as well as any person who commits a grievous sexual assault or aids and abets a grievous sexual assault can face a sentence of life imprisonment.

Marital rape is also covered under the Act as an offence committed only by a husband against his wife.

During the second reading of the bill Tuesday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding described the Act as one which was far reaching in its effort to punish sex crimes.

Opposition Leader, Portia Simpson Miller also welcomed the new legislation with few reservations.

But it was the member from south east St. Ann, Lisa Hanna, who welcomed the proposed legislation with open arms.

"Today's criminal is the unseen demon that has effectively made hostages of our women and children and indeed the entire society. Today we say to them, now is the time for them to be brought to justice," she said.

' ... the unseen demon that has effectively made hostages of our women and children ... '

- Hanna