POLICE are actively investigating a video circulating on social media showing an adult female gyrating on a minor during Carnival. It has gone viral on social media but is not time stamped.
The investigation will determine if the offence of sexual touching of a child has been committed contrary to Section 19 of the Children Act, a release from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) stated on Ash Wednesday.
Section 19 of the Act states where a person touches a child and the touching is sexual, and the child is under 16 years of age, the person commits an offence.
The Act further states that a person who commits this offence is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for ten years, or on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for 20 years.
Additionally, if the touching involves the placing of any body part or an object onto the child’s genitalia, that person is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.
The TTPS is also urging the public to desist from sharing this video as doing so may amount to child pornography contrary to Section 40 of the Children Act.
This section of the Act states that a person who knowingly publishes, distributes, transmits, or shows any child pornography or who obtains access, through information and communication technologies, to child pornography, or has in his possession or control any child pornography, or purchases, exchanges, or otherwise receives child pornography commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment, to a fine of $30,000 and imprisonment for ten years.
A person who knowingly distributes child pornography to another person is also committing an offence under the Act and could be subject to a fine and/or imprisonment if convicted, the release stated.
Persons who may have information that can assist the police with this investigation are asked to call 800-TIPS or contact the police at 555, 999, 911, or any police station.
