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Senator Samuda: Sentence child killers to 30 years

Published:Saturday | November 16, 2019 | 12:00 AM
Matthew Samuda

Government Senator Matthew Samuda wants child killers and those who rape children to face tough penalties with mandatory minimum sentences of 30 years.

Police statistics indicate that between January 1 and the end of September this year, 34 children, 17 years and under, have been murdered – 25 boys and nine girls.

In his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Upper House yesterday, Samuda made suggestions that could enhance the protection of the nation’s children.

He called for telecoms providers to participate more vigorously in the Ananda Alert System, which was established in 2009 after the abduction and murder of schoolgirl Ananda Dean.

Ananda Alert is a nationwide system designed to ensure a speedy and safe recovery of a child if he/she cannot be located by a caregiver.

Batting for increased resources to be provided to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency and the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, Samuda said that funding for these government institutions should be consistent with their importance.

“The Budget is coming; I want to see increases in these areas,” he added.