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Acting Prime Minister Stuart Young said yesterday he intends to bring legislation to increase penalties and sentencing for those who commit heinous acts against women.

Young gave this commitment as he addressed International Women’s Day celebrations at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s yesterday. International Women’s Day is being observed worldwide today.

Stating that he intended to approach the Opposition seeking its support, Young said: “You see domestic violence, both with intimate partners and non-intimate partners—we are going to take on that scourge frontally.” Noting that domestic violence happened at all levels of society, Young said, “I am a strong believer that we as a society must stand up and let the persons who are committing these acts against our women and children know we are not accepting it. So if I know that is how you behave, don’t come and hold out your hand to me to shake my hand, because I frown upon what you do. We will implement through legislation stronger penalties and sentencing for those heinous crimes across the board. It is one of the first things that we will do. Also, providing more protection when women take the step of getting protection orders, and not letting it just be a piece of paper. That is also something I intend for us to focus heavily on. But the society needs to move with us.”