Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud recently told the National Assembly that 584 pregnant girls under the age of 16 were referred to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) between 2020 and 2025.

It was further disclosed that when a child under the age of 16 gives birth or is identified as pregnant, the case is immediately brought to the attention of the CPA, and a comprehensive child protection risk assessment is conducted.

But despite the released statistics, prosecution rates for related sexual offences remain low, and according to the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) Chambers, this is largely due to a lack of cooperation from victims and the unavailability of witnesses.