site.btaHarsher Penalties Proposed for Crimes Against Children

The government has okayed draft amendments to the Criminal Code introducing harsher penalties for offences committed against minors and underage persons. The amendments also extend the limitation periods for prosecuting perpetrators of this category of offences, the Council of Ministers said in a press release on Tuesday, covering the cabinet’s weekly meeting.

Under the changes, the limitation period will begin to run not from the time the offence was committed, but from the date on which the victim reaches the age of 18. The amendment will prevent perpetrators from evading criminal liability. It provides assurances that children who are victims of offences listed in Chapters Two and Four of the Special Part of the Criminal Code (offences against the person and against marriage, youth and the family) will have a sufficiently long period, including after attaining majority, in which personally to notify the competent authorities of the offence committed.

A qualified offence is also being introduced for sexual crimes committed against persons under the age of 10. This constitutes a clear signal of zero tolerance towards violence against the youngest and most vulnerable members of society, with penalties for such offences being increased substantially and, for certain offences, now providing for up to 20 years’ imprisonment.