Islas Vírgenes Británicas

Section 187 of the Criminal Code, creates a specific clause that offers some form of protection specifically to females and children.

It reads: “Any person who is guilty of an aggravated assault on any female, or on any male child whose age appears to the court not to exceed fourteen years, if the assault is not committed in circumstances for which a greater punishment is provided by this Code, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars.

The present act provides greater protection for victims of domestic violence and to makes provision for the granting of protection orders and for matters connected therewith.

It defines domestic violence as “any controlling or abusive behaviour that harms or may harm the health, safety or well-being of a person or any child and includes but is not limited to the following:

(a) physical abuse or threats of physical abuse; (b) sexual abuse or threats of sexual abuse; (c) emotional, verbal or psychological abuse; (d) economic abuse; (e) intimidation; (f) harassment; (g) stalking; (h) damage to or destruction of property; or (i) entry into the applicant’s residence without consent, where the parties do not share the same residence”. It also defines what behaviours constitute “economic abuse”, “emotional, verbal and psychological abuse”, “harassment”, “intimidation”, “physical abuse”, “sexual abuse” and “stalking”.

The act disposes that the Court may make an order directing a police officer to seize any firearm or dangerous weapon in the possession or under the control of the respondent.