The legal framework
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 |
|---|---|
| Definition | Set out in dedicated sexual offences legislation |
| Marital rape | Criminalised in some of these jurisdictions and not in others — check the national position |
| Medical care | Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV must begin within 72 hours |
| Forensic evidence | Best collected within 72 hours, before washing or changing clothes if possible |
| Support | One-stop centres combine medical, police and counselling services |
| Sexual Offences Act | Amended several times; marital rape is recognised |
| Age of consent 16 | With higher thresholds where authority is involved |
| Child Protection Unit | Specialist police unit for offences against children |
| Victim and Witness Support Unit | Available at police stations |
In practice
- Report to the police at any station; you do not have to decide immediately whether to pursue a prosecution.
- A forensic medical examination can usually be carried out and stored before any decision to report.
- Specialist support services can attend with you and explain each step.
- Ask for written confirmation of any examination and of the report reference.
- Ask for the Victim and Witness Support Unit when reporting.
- Seek medical attention immediately for treatment and evidence.
Recent changes
The regional trend is towards one-stop centres, which have measurably improved both survivor experience and evidence quality compared with separate police and hospital processes.
Where to go
- One-stop centres and gender-based violence recovery units in public hospitals.
- Police units specialising in sexual and gender-based violence.
- National helplines and women's rights organisations providing legal accompaniment.
Worth knowing
Go to a hospital first, ideally within 72 hours: that window covers both HIV prophylaxis and forensic evidence. Reporting to the police can follow afterwards. 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.
Official sources and links
- World Health Organization — international reference on this topic
- WHO Regional Office for Africa — country data and programmes