KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Joint Choose Committee reviewing the Cybercrimes Act recommends harsher penalties for offenses in opposition to a baby.
“The Committee helps the advice that there needs to be harsher penalties about offenses in opposition to youngsters and that there needs to be a distinction between the penalties for offenses dedicated in opposition to youngsters by youngsters and grownup offenders,” mentioned Science, Vitality, Telecommunications and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz.
He mentioned the Committee is recommending that the time period of imprisonment be elevated from 15 to twenty years for an grownup who commits an act the place the sufferer is a baby.
Vaz informed the Home of Representatives, the place the report of the Joint Choose Committee on the Overview of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015 was adopted earlier this week, that concerning computer-related fraud or forgery, it was really helpful that consideration be given to the introduction of an offense or class of crime that treats with the possession, creation or copy of digital copies of solid paperwork.
“The Committee was suggested that the forgery of sure paperwork was thought-about a felony and attracted custodial sentence for a time period of seven years as much as life imprisonment, and different paperwork, if solid, are thought to be a misdemeanor and drew a penalty of imprisonment for a interval not exceeding two years.
“Having been made to grasp that the Forgery Act is technology-neutral and treats sure kinds of solid paperwork, the Committee really helpful that the amendments be made to the Forgery Act to take into consideration the creation of an offense usually referring to the possession of solid paperwork, with the intent to defraud or deceit,” Vaz mentioned.
He mentioned the Committee expressed concern concerning the frequent sharing of pictures of scenes of accidents involving private damage or loss of life, as this might place the particular person depicted within the pictures, their household, and others in misery.
Vaz mentioned the Committee questioned whether or not the Cybercrimes Act would deal with sharing these pictures and if a provision may very well be inserted to handle the identical.
After cautious consideration, the Committee famous that Part 9 (1) of the Act would deal with the problem. Nonetheless, the intent to harass, trigger, or apprehend hurt should be confirmed.
“The Committee additionally took notice of the Workplace of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) pointers for prosecuting instances involving malicious communication… and noticed that if the intent may very well be confirmed, the particular person affected may very well be pursued in a civil lawsuit.”
The Committee has additionally really helpful {that a} public schooling marketing campaign be undertaken concerning the Knowledge Safety Act 2020, which ought to embrace content material stopping individuals from sharing these pictures.
“The Committee additionally recommends dialogue with the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions concerning Part 9 [of the Cybercrimes Act] and the way it may be used to handle instances reported by residents,” Vaz mentioned.
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