The Vanuatu Women’s Centre is warning that the early release of people convicted of sexual offences could send a harmful signal to society about the seriousness of crimes against children, women and girls.

VWC Coordinator Tatavola Matas made the comments following the recent presidential pardons of 13 detainees by Head of State Nikenike Vurobaravu on July 23, including two convicted rapist.

Ms Matas says while the Head of State has the constitutional power to grant pardons, the impact on victims must also be considered before sexual offenders are released early.

“When the State considers releasing sexual offenders early, as in these recent cases through presidential pardons, we are sending a harmful signal to society that someone can commit a serious offence against a small child, a woman or a girl, serve only a short time and then be released from prison.”

She says early release can have a negative impact on victims, particularly in cases where the offender is a relative or someone who was previously responsible for the care of the child.

“When we release somebody early from the term given by the Supreme Court, this can have a negative impact on the victim of that case.”

Ms Matas says authorities must work with victims before offenders are released to ensure they understand what is happening, remain safe and receive appropriate support.

She says this is particularly important because child survivors of sexual abuse can live with long-term trauma from their experiences.

“Victims or child survivors of sexual abuse live with long-term trauma from what they have gone through, and we need to understand that.”

Ms Matas is also calling for the State and relevant authorities to ensure victim protection is part of the process before an offender convicted of a child sexual offence returns to the community.

She says failing to prepare and support victims before the release of an offender could re-traumatise them or affect their healing.

“Before someone is released from the correctional centre, especially those who went in for child sexual offences, the State and relevant authorities must work together to make sure the victim is safe and that we are working with them to address the trauma they are facing before that perpetrator is released back into the community.”

Ms Matas also questioned the need for greater transparency around presidential pardons, particularly where medical reasons are given as grounds for early release.

She says if a pardon is granted on medical grounds, the public should be able to understand why the person qualifies for a pardon.

“If they are pardoned on medical grounds, then let us see, let us be accountable to the people of the Republic of Vanuatu and show that these different people truly deserve a pardon because the medical certificate or medical reasons warrant them to be pardoned.”

She says greater transparency would help the public understand the basis on which pardons are granted.

The comments come as Prime Minister Jotham Napat prepares to meet with President Nikenike Vurobaravu this week to formally raise concerns over the recent pardon of a convicted rapist.

The Prime Minister has said that while he respects the constitutional power of the Head of State to grant pardons, the seriousness of the case and public concern make it necessary to address the matter directly.

According to a press statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Government is also considering a review of the President’s pardoning powers, with plans to propose clearer criteria to guide the exercise of this constitutional power.

Ms Matas says the protection, safety and wellbeing of victims must remain a key consideration whenever an offender convicted of a sexual offence is considered for early release.