502

The Legislature of the Virgin Islands finds and declares that:\n(a) the children of the Virgin Islands are its most precious resource; and\n(b) serious abuse and neglect of children are increasing in the Virgin Islands; and\n(c) it is the policy of the Government of the Virgin Islands to protect children from assault, abuse and neglect, and to encourage parents, teachers and others to use methods of correction, restraint and discipline that are not dangerous to children; and\n(d) current Virgin Islands criminal laws are inadequate to protect children from abuse and neglect; and\n(e) a statute providing for severe penalties for persons who abuse or neglect children is necessary to safeguard the physical and emotional well-being of children in the Virgin Islands.