Teenage pregnancies too high in Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago have a problem with underage pregnancies caused predominantly by older men, claims a top doctor.

Psychiatrist Dr Varma Deyalsingh said teenage pregnancies in Trinidad and Tobago average around 62 a month in a population of 1.4 million.

And although adult sexual contact with a minor is a crime, not many of the men who father these children are being arrested and charged for the offence.

Deyalsingh said failure to implement laws has contributed to the current level of crime and lawlessness in Trinidad and Tobago.

“The majority of those fathers are not brought before the courts. We need to make examples of these men so others would know we are serious and our laws are indeed alive and not just a showpiece bit of nice legislation. If we had examples made of perpetrators it would remind men of the dire consequences they could face by inappropriate acts against a child,” he said.

Deyalsingh said citizens should be reminded that the Children’s Act 2012 stated that sexual intercourse or even sexual contact is a criminal offence with anyone under 18.

“We need to remind persons about the age of consent. The goal is to protect children from harm,” he said.