Getting in on the Act

OVER the preceding decades, several Acts have been passed in Parliament with the purpose of informing adults of their rights, while protecting the children of Guyana in various ways. Today’s quiz is based on two such acts: the Sexual Offences Act and the Status of Children Act (2009). Information on the Laws of Guyana is always useful and the more we know about the law, the more we can share with others. For instance, did you know that under the Sexual Offences Act, an indecent assault carries a High Court conviction of up to 10 years imprisonment? See how many answers you can get right in our quiz below. Circle the one you think is correct and try not to look at the answers until you have completed the quiz.

1 The Sexual Offences Act was signed into law:
a) Only recently between 2017 – 2019
b) A long time ago, sometime between 2001 – 2003
c) Almost a decade ago between 2010 – 2012
2 A Sexual Offence occurs when:
a) Your physical body is interfered with inappropriately by another person
b) Someone contacts a child under 16 by internet, to engage in sexual behaviour
c) Anything sexual or inappropriate is done to your body without your consent
3 The Sexual Offences Act is gender-neutral, which means:
a) A person’s sexual orientation and gender will be decided by the Act
b) Only women can make complaints and men will be charged for offences
c) Any one regardless of gender can either make a complaint or be charged under the Act
4 For sexual or indecent assaults upon conviction before a magistrate, the penalty is:
a) 2 -4 years imprisonment
b) 1 -2 years imprisonment
c) Up to 5 years imprisonment
5 The Status of Children Act is an Act that provides for:
a) The determination of parentage of a child, i.e. who is the mother or father?
b) Children to pass through a court hearing before they are taken out of state
c) Parents to enquire about the status of their children before birth

6 The constitution of Guyana states that:
a) Children born out of wedlock are entitled to seek equal status through the law
b) Children born out of wedlock have equal rights to their Mother and Father
c) Children born out of wedlock have equal status and are entitled to equal rights
7 When someone presumes paternity it means that:
a) A man can be declared a ‘child’s father’ by making a police statement
b) A man can be declared a ‘child’s father’ by financially supporting the Mother
c) A man can be declared a ‘child’s father’ by being married to the Mother at the time of birth
8 A man can acknowledge paternity of a child by:
a) Registering his name on the child’s birth certificate
b) Stating or acknowledging in writing that he is the child’s father
c) By swearing to an affidavit that he acknowledges he is the father
ANSWERS
1) C: The Sexual Offences Act came into law on May 25th 2010. Although most sexual offences fall under this law, offences against morality such as ‘buggery’ and ‘bestiality’ fall under the Criminal Law Offences Act.
2) ALL answers are correct: It is a sexual offence to touch another person in a sexual way or to even imply meeting for sexual activity with a child (anyone under the age of 16) on the internet. A child under the age of 16 cannot give consent to sex by law. Violation of a child under 16 is a crime, punishable by law.
3) C: Under the Sexual Offences Act anyone, regardless of their gender, (i.e. male, female, or other) can make an official complaint or be charged.
4) C: An indecent assault occurs when a person has (unwanted) indecent contact with another or takes indecent liberties with a person without his or her consent. For example, this can include undesired kissing or inappropriate touching of bottom, breast or genitals.
5) A: The Status of Children Act, 2009, helps to legally determine a child’s parentage. Sometimes biological mothers and fathers are not the true ‘parents’ of a child
6) C: The Act states that children have equal rights and status, whether they are born in or out of wedlock, or have been adopted.
7) C: When a man presumes paternity, he recognises a child as his own: he does not have to be the biological father of the child or married to the child’s mother.
8) ALL answers are correct: Nowadays, due to DNA testing,, a man can easily determine whether or not he is the father of a child. But a man can acknowledge paternity in other ways that do not require biological proof: such as caring and providing for a child wholeheartedly and by giving the child his surname by deed poll.
If you require further information about the Sexual Offences Act contact the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Unit (227 0206) or ring the Childcare and Protection Agency (227 4082) to speak to an officer about the Status of Children Act. Ring the CPA hotline if you are concerned about the welfare of a child on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

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