Breaking Down the Sexual Offences Act
Sections 62 and 63 of the Sexual Offences Act, Cap 8:03, Laws of Guyana (“SOA”), empower Guyana’s courts to ensure that complainants in sexual offences cases remain anonymous both in the courtrooms, and in any media reports covering those cases.
Breaking Down the Sexual Offences Act
Last week I broke down several sections which permit and regulate the power given to courts to exclude members of the public, including the media, from hearings of sexual offences.
Breaking Down the Sexual Offences Act
In last week’s article, I explained that section 45 of the Sexual Offences Act Cap 8:03, Laws of Guyana (SOA), permits a judge or magistrate to exclude members of the public (including the media) from attending proceedings for sexual offences.
Breaking Down the Sexual Offences Act
Generally, all hearings in Guyana’s Magistrates’ Courts and the High Court are open to the public, including the media.
Breaking down the Sexual Offences Act
As we continue to break down the Sexual Offences Act, Cap 8:03, Laws of Guyana (“the Act”), today we will examine section 41, an incredibly important, if not innovative provision.
Breaking down the Sexual Offences Act
Today we examine section 40 of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03, Laws of Guyana (“the SOA”), which is titled in the marginal note as “Divestment of authority of a child.”
Breaking Down Sexual Offences Act
Last week we examined section 38 of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03, Laws of Guyana (SOA) which abolished the presumption that boys under 14 years could not be found guilty of rape.
Breaking Down Sexual Offences Act
Today we will break down section 38 of the Sexual Offences Act, Cap 8:03, Laws of Guyana (“SOA”), a provision which abolished the irrebuttable presumption developed decades ago that a boy under 14 years is incapable of sexual competence, and therefore of rape.
Breaking Down Sexual Offences Act
If we review the articles in this column over the past weeks, we will see that, in most cases, the offences and penalties we have examined apply to the person who commits the conduct which is a crime under the Sexual Offences Act, Cap 8:03, Laws of Guyana (“the SOA”).
Breaking down the Sexual Offences Act
This week, we will be breaking down section 35 of Sexual Offences Act, Cap 8:03, Laws of Guyana (“the SOA”) beginning with offences outside Guyana.
Breaking Down Sexual Offences
This week I will be breaking down section 33 of the Sexual Offences Act, Cap 8:03, Laws of Guyana (the SOA), which creates the offence of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.