A bill to increase the penalties for persons who have committed sexual offences against women and children is before parliament.

Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang made the revelation while speaking to reporters in Westmoreland on Friday (February 10).

Citing the death of 9-year-old Nikita Noel of Kew district, in Lucea, Hanover, who was reportedly sexually assaulted and killed on February 1, Dr. Chang said the government is working to introduce harsher penalties for those who commit such acts.