Sexual Harassment Tribunal Members Appointed

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Hon. Olivia Grange, on Tuesday (June 25) announced the 15-member Sexual Harassment Tribunal.

All members have met the fit and proper eligibility requirements specified in the Sexual Harassment Act.

The Tribunal will be chaired by Ferdinand Algernon Smith, and includes Dr. Meric Dale Walker, Donald Roberts, Debby-Ann Brown-Salmon, Karen Thompson-Wilson, Karen Campbell-Bascoe, Gennetta Richards-Smikle, Camille Lee, Kevel A. Campbell, Khadrea Sharree, Shaneek Rose Clacken, Junior A. Latibeaudiere, Clare Pamela Miller, Rev. Devon Merrick Dick, and Indera Persaud.

“It has been a necessarily detailed and carefully executed process of evaluation of the members. We already fully staffed the Sexual Harassment Investigation Unit, which will give support to the operation of the Tribunal,” Ms. Grange said.

The Minister was making her contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 25).

Ms. Grange informed that the Government is also strengthening the Domestic Violence Act.

She said the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act, 2023, came into effect in January this year.

The amendments, among other things, allow the Court to issue Protection Orders and impose a penalty of up to $1 million for a breach and a sentence of up to one year in prison.

“We continue to improve our services to victims, punish perpetrators and review our laws to create effective deterrents to would-be perpetrators. In this regard, a Joint Select Committee is reviewing the Domestic Violence Act towards further strengthening the protection of victims and dealing appropriately with perpetrators,” Ms. Grange said.

Meanwhile, the Minister reminded employers that, under the law, all workplaces and institutions must have their sexual harassment policy in place by the end of June.

She noted that the policy must be brought to the attention of each worker, client, student, resident, ward, inmate, patient or member, as the case may require.

Any workplace or institution failing to implement such a policy, which should outline a process for reporting and resolving a complaint of sexual harassment, could face sanctions.