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Attorney General to hold seminar on Parental Responsibility legislation

Attorney General Kim Wilson will host a free class on October 14 to teach families about the new Parental Responsibility legislation.

The session, which is part of Government's Community Education and Development Programme, will be held at CedarBridge Academy between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The new legislation aims to crack down on young people involved in crime and antisocial behaviour, and the parents who let them wreak havoc.

It allows the courts to impose parenting orders to compel parents to uphold their duty of care.

Anti-social behaviour orders can also be imposed on young troublemakers, restricting them from associating with certain friends or entering certain buildings.

Child safety orders will allow Child and Family Services to intervene to supervise parenting for up to twelve months.

The child curfew scheme authorises temporary 90-day prohibitions to be issued on young people attending what Sen. Wilson described as "known hazardous public venues."

The bill also makes provision for counselling, rehabilitation and social intervention.

The Royal Gazette understands the courts have yet to issue the first orders under the new legislation, which was approved by the Senate on July 21.

Sen. Wilson, who spearheaded the bill, explained she was invited to conduct the community class.

"I thought why not? This is a perfect opportunity to provide further education and clarity as to the principles of the legislation and what it seeks to achieve," she said.

"Any opportunities I can have to further provide a better understanding of current issues and the legislative initiatives designed to address those, I will certainly say 'yes'."

Numbers are limited, and anyone wishing to attend the class must sign up in advance by phoning the community education office on 292-7735 and asking for Mrs. Simmons.

Alternatively, sign up online at www.communityed.gov.bm.