Plea made for stronger sentencing of sexual offenders

Tuesday 25 May 2021

A petition has been created demanding stronger sentences for sexual offences and calling for the issue to be “taken more seriously” by Guernsey’s justice system.

Bea Smith created the petition following a talk she gave about her own experiences at the ‘Reclaim These Streets’ rally.

“I was sexually assaulted when I was 13, and at the time I was told ‘what did I expect, as a pretty young girl’,” she said.

“I went to therapy for six years because of that experience, and there are people going through the justice system today who are hearing the same things.”

Pictured: Ms Smith spoke at an event advocating for women’s rights and safety. Picture from her petition page, which can be found HERE. 

Ms Smith argues the current system doesn’t do victims justice, and more needs to be done to protect the abused and sentence the abusers.

“Sexual assault isn’t taken very seriously, there’s a lot of victim blaming in the justice system,” she said. “Some of the laws have only just come in, such as grooming, but they don’t apply to retrospective cases.

“People who have been groomed in the past, and raised the issue now, nothing would happen.”

“There are longer punishments for people addicted to drugs, but these people [sexual offenders] who go around ruining lives, with their victims feeling their hands on them for the rest of their lives, don’t get long enough sentences."

"There’s a lot of victim blaming in the justice system"

Ms Smith said a lack of sensitivity can sometimes add to the trauma. “There needs to be training for police to be more sensitive about the subject,” she said.

The Committee for Home Affairs said work is being to review sentencing in the island.

It follows a States Resolution to report back to the Assembly with a review of the Justice Framework, which was worked on by the previous committee but never completed. 

Pictured: Home Affairs President Rob Prow. 

“The Committee is determined to work on a more holistic approach to reduce re-offending and to keep people out of the criminal justice system in the first place,” said Home Affairs President Rob Prow.

“Future recommendations will be evidence-based and developed in consultation with stakeholders and the public.

“It is very important to recognise the separation of powers between the States and the Courts, and that it is the responsibility of the Courts to decide on appropriate sentences of those convicted of crimes,” he said.

Meanwhile, once the Sexual Offences Law 2020 is enacted, more targeted sexual offences will be sentenced, and stronger legislation will criminalise “inappropriate sexual behaviour” – establishing higher penalties.

“The Committee is also working closely with Law Enforcement at the moment to develop Guernsey’s approach to sexual violence and inappropriate behaviour towards women,” said Deputy Prow.

“For example, developing the way offenders are dealt with by police.”

With a push from both the public and government, Ms Smith hopes for change: “If we don’t treat people sensitively, it can just add to the trauma. I ended up pulling out of my case because of how severe it all got.”