Justice Minister Jane Poole-Wilson is being urged to reconsider the government’s stance on not introducing an Isle of Man equivalent of Sarah’s Law.
Sarah’s Law, formally known as the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme in England and Wales, allows parents, carers or guardians to formally ask the police to tell them if someone has a record for child sexual offences.
This law was introduced after eight-year-old Sarah Payne was murdered by a convicted paedophile.
But the Isle of Man has no equivalent legislation in place.
In Tynwald on Tuesday (November 17), Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher will ask Poole-Wilson whether her department (Justice and Home Affairs) “has reconsidered its previous position that there are no plans to introduce a child sex offender disclosure scheme equivalent to Sarah’s Law in the island”.
She will also ask: “If not, why not?”
A petition was launched in 2024, urging the government to introduce equivalent legislation.
Domestic Abuse Disclosure
Faragher is also seeking an update on the bringing into force of a domestic abuse disclosure scheme.
She has another question tabled for Poole-Wilson, asking what progress has been made on implementing such a scheme, which was provided for under the 2020 Domestic Abuse Act.
Faragher will further ask the minister when she “expects the necessary regulations and operational arrangements to be in place”.