Trinidad and Tobago: Police warn against sharing sex offender registry info
Police are warning the public that sharing information from the local sex offenders registry website can result in a three-year prison sentence.
Police legal officer Zaheer Ali issued the warning while speaking at the police’s weekly media briefing on May 27.
He added the site, which currently has just 36 people listed, should be used only for the sensitization of members of the public.
“There is a notice displayed in a conspicuous place on the website which warns persons of prosecution for the intentional and unlawful reproduction, sharing or use of the information contained in the website.”
Section 48 (4) of the Sexual Offences Act says, “Any person who intentionally and without lawful excuse or justification reproduces, shares or uses any information contained on this website , commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars and to imprisonment for three years.”
Ali warned people against sharing screenshots of the information on the website to social media and community Whatsapp groups.
He said police only place the information online so that members of the public can be informed.
Ali suggested if anyone violates the law, it can lead to a situation where the offender can report the person who shared the information.
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“… commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars and to imprisonment for three years.”
I hope that is per PFR. This should be required of all US SOR’s if indeed its sole purpose is safety.
Here’s the problem…registrants can be harmed because of such a public registry by both law enforcement, politicians making laws but a common citizen can’t use such a list in a way to reach out to give them a job, education opportunity or ministry. That to me seems wrong. Can the ACLU, ACSOL or FAC file suite in that regard?
really if its public information whats the difference?
People are more likely to look at the nextdoor app, etc to see such info than they are the LE website for this info.
TS
That is exactly what law enforcement is saying in that country. Next Door is sharing information.
It was not initially meant to be public information, but only to law enforcement, and it was not initially a criminal offense if you did not register.
That, and more has changed while they keep adding more and more restrictions like a New Year’s day parade.
That is ‘whats’ the difference?’.
They keep moving the goal post farther away from its original intent and it is producing collateral consequences far beyond its original conception.