One of the most important Bills currently making its way through the branches of Tynwald has been approved by the Keys.

Most amendments from the Legislative Council were accepted by MHKs and those that weren’t, will be resolved by way of a delegation from the Keys meeting with their LegCo counterparts.

The MLCs made 15 amendments to the Bill sent to them by the Keys, 14 clauses and one schedule. Of the 14 clauses amended, 10 were accepted, including one which sees clause 38 dropped entirely.

However, it is clauses 4, 6, 11 and 12 that MHKs did not accept. These clause changes amended age related provisions that he said were previously agreed and his department has concerns about.

Home Affairs Minister Graham Cregeen, who is leading the Bill through the Keys, said clause 38 ’did not add anything useful to our Bill’.

He added: ’We do, of course, recognise a particular duty of care is children and young people, under 18.

’However, that duty must surely include preparing young children for adulthood by addressing criminal behaviour that amounts to domestic abuse.’

Mr Cregeen highlighted a UK report that said up to a third of girls and a quarter of boys under 18 said they had suffered sexual violence from pressure or physical force with 50% to 70% reporting some form of control using technology such as checking messages on phones and social media.

He said that the introduction of notices that could be issued by the police to stop such behaviour for 14 days would help to prevent harm in the short term.

’This allows a longer term solution to the abuse to be considered. Any conditions lasting more than 14 days must be granted by a court.

’If the age is limited to 18 and above, the police will not be able to intervene effectively in these situations.’

Mr Cregeen, Ann Corlett (Douglas Central) and Lawrie Hooper (Lib Vannin, Ramsey) were chosen by MHKs to discuss these concerns and find a solution with MLCs.