In a landmark move to strengthen protections for minors and vulnerable people, Antigua and Barbuda’s House of Representatives has approved a landmark overhaul of the country’s sexual offences legislation, introducing harsher penalties that include life imprisonment for adults convicted of incest against underage victims. Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin outlined the ambitious changes in the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026 during a parliamentary sitting, framing the reform as a critical step in the government’s broader push to crack down on sexual violence, particularly offences targeting children. Under the newly approved provisions, any adult found guilty of incestuous abuse involving a person under 18 years old will be eligible for a maximum sentence of life behind bars. For incest offences committed between two consenting adults, the legislation raises the maximum penalty to 25 years of imprisonment, a significant increase from previous sentencing guidelines. Beyond incest, the bill also targets abuses of trust by adults in caregiving roles, addressing sexual relationships between adults and minors under their guardianship. The legislation explicitly covers a wide range of caregiving relationships, including biological parental roles, as well as those involving adopted children, stepchildren, foster children, godchildren, legal wards, and any other minor dependent on the adult. Many of these offences will also carry the possibility of life imprisonment under the new framework, matching the severe penalties applied to other child sexual abuse crimes. Sir Steadroy emphasized that the revised laws are designed to send a clear message that sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable people will not be tolerated in Antigua and Barbuda, aligning the country’s legal framework with international standards for child protection. The bill completed its passage through the lower chamber of parliament without any proposed amendments, moving forward as a unified bipartisan effort to address gaps in existing sexual offence legislation. Legal analysts note that the reform reflects growing regional momentum across the Caribbean to strengthen penalties for gender-based and child sexual violence, responding to sustained advocacy from child protection organizations that have called for stricter legal consequences for offenders. The changes mark one of the most significant updates to Antigua and Barbuda’s sexual offences legal regime in recent decades, prioritizing the safety and rights of minors and dependent people who are most at risk of abuse by trusted adults in their lives.
Life in Prison for Adults Who Commit Incest With Children Under New Law
