THE Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act, 2021, which took effect on July 3, is being hailed as an important piece of legislation for ushering in concrete measures to protect the vulnerable and promote cultural change to end sexual harassment.

Here is an excerpt from Section 39, PART VII, as it relates to Offences and Penalties.

39.— (1) Any person directed...to attend a hearing of the Tribunal and who fails without reasonable excuse to do so, commits an offence and shall, on summary conviction in a Parish Court, be liable to a fine not exceeding one million dollars or, in default of payment thereof, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months.

(2) Any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails or refuses to furnish information or produce documents...commits an offence and shall, on summary conviction in a Parish Court, be liable to a fine not exceeding one million dollars or, in default of payment thereof, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months.

(3) Any person appearing before the Tribunal as a witness at a hearing, who—

(a) refuses or fails to be sworn or to make an affirmation; or

(b) refuses or fails to answer any question required to be answered by the Tribunal, commits an offence and shall...be liable to a fine not exceeding one million dollars or, in default of payment thereof, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months...

(5) A person who—

(c) furnishes to the Tribunal any information or makes a statement at a hearing, knowing that the information or statement is false or misleading in a material particular, commits an offence and shall, on summary conviction in a Parish Court, be liable to a fine not exceeding one million dollars, or, in default of payment thereof, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding twelve months.