Home Affairs wants things like stalking, spiking, and female genital mutilation covered by local laws.
It’s also proposing new powers for the police and courts to deal with the new offences and existing crimes.
A Policy Letter is going to the States for debate and approval, making 15 proposed changes to existing laws.
The changes could also pave the way for the introduction of a register of domestic abuse offenders, which would draw on systems being introduced in England & Wales.
Home Affairs said its Policy Letter – which should be debated before the election in June – will help to make the Bailiwick “a safe place to live” for everyone.
“This Committee has worked tirelessly during this term to vastly improve Guernsey’s legislation around sexual offences and domestic abuse,” said Home Affairs President, Deputy Rob Prow.
“We started with a broad update of sexual offences legislation in 2022, then set a domestic abuse strategy, which has since evolved into a domestic abuse and sexual violence strategy, and, in more recent years, have been strengthening the laws around, and creating a specific law for, domestic abuse. We have been seeking to learn lessons from neighbouring jurisdictions but also ensure the new legislation is fit for and tailored to the Bailiwick.
“This policy letter is now building on the work that our previous domestic abuse legislation policy letter (27th September 2023), and the subsequent legislation in 2024, started – which itself introduced new offences and police powers. New offences such as drink spiking and stalking are much needed in the 21st Century, and will allow the criminal justice system to properly deal with offenders who commit these horrific offences.”
Deputy Sue Aldwell is Home Affairs’ lead for domestic abuse and sexual violence.
She hopes the States will back the Policy Letter so the changes can be approved before the new government is sworn in this summer.
“Ensuring the right laws and systems are in place to protect women and girls in our community has been a priority for this Committee this term, and the publication of this policy letter is another important step toward that goal. It contains a wide range of important areas we wanted to ensure were legislated for in Guernsey – new offences, new court powers, new police powers, all of which will help us protect vulnerable women and ensure offences of this nature are properly dealt with.
“I am delighted we have been able to complete this work before the end of the political term.”