Consent and age of consent
The Children Act 2012 raised the protective age to 18 with a close-in-age provision, and one-stop centres serve survivors.
The Children Act 2012 raised the protective age to 18, with a close-in-age provision. The Sexual Offences Act governs the definitions, and marital rape is criminalised in defined circumstances. The Child Protection Unit and Gender-Based Violence Unit of the police handle reports.
Key points
| Age of consent | 18 |
|---|---|
| Marital rape | Criminalised in some of these jurisdictions and not in others — check the national position |
| Sexual Offences Act | Amended several times; marital rape is recognised |
| Children Act 2012 | A child is a person under 18; sexual penetration of a child carries up to life imprisonment, with exceptions between young people close in age |
| Child Protection Unit | Specialist police unit for offences against children |
| Victim and Witness Support Unit | Available at police stations |
In practice
- Ask for the Victim and Witness Support Unit when reporting.
- Seek medical attention immediately for treatment and evidence.
Worth knowing
Marital rape is an offence in Trinidad and Tobago, unlike in several neighbouring jurisdictions. Do not assume otherwise because of what applies elsewhere in the region.
The general article: Consent and age of consent · Compare with another country
Domestic violence
The Domestic Violence Act 1999 allows protection orders for spouses, cohabitants, former partners and other household members.
Protection rests on the Domestic Violence Act 1999, which provides protection orders covering spouses, cohabitants, former partners and other household members, with a broad definition of abuse. The police Gender-Based Violence Unit and the national domestic violence hotline coordinate response.
Key points
| Domestic Violence Act 1999 | Amended to widen the range of protected relationships |
|---|---|
| Protection orders | From the magistrate's court, with police powers of arrest |
| Interim orders | Available ex parte where there is immediate risk |
| Central registry | A domestic violence registry records orders and reports |
In practice
- Apply at the magistrate's court; applications are free and the clerk assists with forms.
- Ask for an interim order where there is immediate danger.
Where to go
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-SAVE (800-7283), 24 hours.
- Gender-Based Violence Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
- Shelters operated by the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Worth knowing
Breach of a protection order is a criminal offence with a power of arrest. Report every breach so that the pattern is recorded in the registry.
The general article: Domestic violence · Compare with another country
Female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation is not practised locally, and child protection law and general offences against the person apply.
As in Jamaica, the practice is not local and no statute names it; it would be charged as wounding or grievous bodily harm, with the Children Act providing child-protection powers. The relevance here is for families with ties to countries where the practice exists, and in those cases the other country's extraterritorial law is often the effective safeguard.
Key points
| Legal basis | General offences against the person; child protection legislation |
|---|---|
| Reporting | Through the police and the child protection agency |
| Care | Available through public health services |
| Asylum | Risk of FGM is recognised internationally as a ground for protection |
| Awareness | Clinical awareness is limited, given the absence of local practice |
Where to go
- National child protection agency.
- Public health centres and hospitals.
- Legal aid services for asylum matters.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a specific offence?
No. General offences against the person cover the conduct, and the Children Act allows the authorities to protect a child at risk. Consent by a parent is not a defence to serious bodily harm.
Where do you report a concern about a child?
To the Children's Authority, which operates a hotline and has statutory powers to intervene. Reporting suspected child abuse is a legal obligation, and the Authority can act quickly where travel is planned.
The general article: Female genital mutilation · Compare with another country
Sexual offences committed abroad
Trinidad and Tobago, where the offence occurred, and the state of the offender's nationality or residence each have grounds to proceed.
The general article: Sexual offences committed abroad · Compare with another country