XN000022-1978-02-10 — Page 2

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1977

BILL TO AMEND PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILE ORDINANCE GAZETTED

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THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILE ORDINANCE FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE TO BRING IT UP TO DATE.

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE CONTAINED IN THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE ENABLES A JUVENILE COURT TO MAKE SUPERVISION ORDERS, BUT DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY FURTHER PROVISIONS. HE SAID THAT TO RECTIFY THIS, IT WAS PROPOSED TO INSERT INTO THE ORDINANCE DEFINITIONS OF +SUPERVISION ORDER+, +SUPERVISED PERSON+ AND SUPERVISOR+.

ANOTHER PROPOSAL IN THE BILL IS THAT THE PROBATION OFFICER OR ANOTHER PERSON UNDER WHOM A GIRL IS PLACED FOR SUPERVISION PURPOSES SHOULD BE A WOMAN,

AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO PROPOSED REGARDING THE DURATION OF SUPERVISION AND OTHER ORDERS MADE UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.

AT PRESENT ORDERS IN THE CASE OF A BOY REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL HE REACHES 16 AND, IN THE CASE OF A GIRL, UNTIL SHE REACHES 21 CR MARRIES WITH CONSENT BEFORE THAT AGE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT IT WAS DESIRABLE TO CHANGE THESE AGE LIMITS.

IN CASES WHERE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IS APPOINTED LEGAL GUARDIAN THE PRESENT AGE LIMIT OF 21 FOR A GIRL WILL REMAIN, WHILE THAT FOR A BOY WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 16 TO 21. THIS NEW PROVISION WILL ALSO APPLY TO ORDERS CURRENTLY IN FORCE.

IN CASES WHERE A CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON IS ASSIGNED TO THE CARE OF A PERSON OR INSTITUTION, OR AN ORDER REQUIRES A PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO EXERCISE PROPER CARE, THE PROPOSED AGE LIMIT FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS IS 13.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT CIRCUMSTANCES AROSE WHERE BOYS AGED 16 AND OVER REQUIRED CARE AND ATTENTION. WHILE IN THE CASE CF GIRLS IT WAS IMPRACTICABLE AND UNREALISTIC TO ENFORCE AN ORDER UP TO THE AGE OF 21.

/HE SAID