28 Feb 2017

Vanuatu gets tougher on sex crimes

10:56 am on 28 February 2017

The Vanuatu Government has toughened up laws for some sex crimes.

Sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 will now carry a sentence of lifetime imprisonment.

Penalties for incest go from 10 years jail to a maximum of 15 years.

The Daily Post newspaper said the Council of Ministers hoped increased penalties for another eight sex and assault related offences will act as a deterrent.