Lithuania introduces up to 8 years in prison for inducing minors to create pornographic content

Lithuania’s parliament has established criminal liability for inducing a child to create pornographic material, with penalties including up to eight years in prison.

The amendments to the Criminal Code, which introduce the new sanctions, were unanimously supported by 77 members of the Seimas on Thursday. Once in force, anyone who induces a child to produce pornographic content or otherwise exploits a child for pornographic production will face imprisonment of between two and eight years.

The changes were initiated by liberal MP Vitalijus Gailius, who sought to close a legal loophole he said offenders were exploiting by shifting responsibility onto the child, arguing that the child themselves created, uploaded, or intended to distribute the material.

Under current law, those who recruit, force, or involve a child in pornographic events, exploit a child for such purposes, or profit from such activity already face two to eight years in prison.

The government has noted that trilogue negotiations between the EU Council, European Commission, and European Parliament are underway to adopt a revised EU directive on combating sexual abuse of children, child sexual exploitation, and child pornography. Once the amendments are approved, a systematic review will be required to refine the Criminal Code provisions related to child sexual exploitation, pornographic production, and the enticement of children for sexual purposes.