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Government members Lorna Smith and Stacy Mather have called for stronger protections for children following reports of an inappropriate exchange purportedly between a well-known adult man and a 13-year-old girl.
The girl’s father shared screenshots of the alleged conversation, prompting widespread shock and calls for police action. Police have since confirmed they are investigating a matter involving a 13-year-old on Anegada, but have provided no further details.
“I am deeply disturbed by the recent exchange I read between an adult and a minor. The psychological and emotional exploitation of our children is unacceptable,” Smith said.
“I will firmly support the necessary legislation to strengthen their protection and safety.”
Smith said protecting children must be a matter of the highest priority.
Mather said he shared the anger, shock and disappointment expressed by residents, but urged that investigators be allowed to carry out their work.
“At this time, we must allow the relevant authorities to carry out their work,” he said.
“Sadly, incidents of this nature occur far too often, even when they do not come to public attention.”
He called for continued support for legislation to protect vulnerable people, particularly children, and stressed that laws must be effectively enforced.
Last month, Mather called for the draft Virgin Islands Sexual Offences Bill, 2025 to move forward, pressing for a sex offenders registry with strong reporting requirements, penalties for non-compliance and provisions covering convicted offenders entering or returning to the Territory.
He said the registry should provide a legal system for monitoring people convicted of serious sexual offences, with safeguards grounded in convictions rather than rumours or accusations. The draft bill, opened for public feedback in March, also addresses child sexual abuse, exploitation, abuse of positions of trust and online offences.
The girl’s father shared screenshots of the alleged conversation, prompting widespread shock and calls for police action. Police have since confirmed they are investigating a matter involving a 13-year-old on Anegada, but have provided no further details.
“I am deeply disturbed by the recent exchange I read between an adult and a minor. The psychological and emotional exploitation of our children is unacceptable,” Smith said.
“I will firmly support the necessary legislation to strengthen their protection and safety.”
Smith said protecting children must be a matter of the highest priority.
Mather said he shared the anger, shock and disappointment expressed by residents, but urged that investigators be allowed to carry out their work.
“At this time, we must allow the relevant authorities to carry out their work,” he said.
“Sadly, incidents of this nature occur far too often, even when they do not come to public attention.”
He called for continued support for legislation to protect vulnerable people, particularly children, and stressed that laws must be effectively enforced.
Last month, Mather called for the draft Virgin Islands Sexual Offences Bill, 2025 to move forward, pressing for a sex offenders registry with strong reporting requirements, penalties for non-compliance and provisions covering convicted offenders entering or returning to the Territory.
He said the registry should provide a legal system for monitoring people convicted of serious sexual offences, with safeguards grounded in convictions rather than rumours or accusations. The draft bill, opened for public feedback in March, also addresses child sexual abuse, exploitation, abuse of positions of trust and online offences.
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