Statutes: Virgin Islands, U.S.

(a) Any person who abuses a child, or who knowingly or recklessly causes a child to suffer physical, mental or emotional injury, or who knowingly or recklessly causes a child to be placed in a situation where it is reasonably foreseeable that a child may suffer physical, mental or emotional injury or be deprived of any of the basic necessities of life, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500, or by imprisonment of not more than 20 years, or both.

(b) In addition to a term of imprisonment or fine, a court shall require the person to attend counseling in accordance with any terms and conditions as the court may specify. Counseling mandated under this subsection must include abuse and assault intervention programs. In addition, if the convicted person is the parent of the affected child, the convicted person shall also attend parenting classes.

(c) If the convicted person fails to begin the classes or programs mandated by this section within twelve months after the court’s order, the convicted person shall:

(1) serve a prison term of no less than twelve months and pay a fine of no less than $4,000 for a first-time offender of child abuse; or

(2) serve a prison term of no less than two years and pay a fine of no less than $6,000 for repeat offender of child abuse.

(d) Failure to complete classes or programs mandated by this section shall result in court-mandated community service of no less than 300 hours.

(e) All professionals who provide court-mandated counseling, social work, psychological, or psychiatric services must have all the appropriate, valid licenses and credentials.

(f) All professionals who provide court-mandated services in the form of counseling, social work, or parenting classes provided by community-based organizations must have all the appropriate, valid credentials.