Lithuanian minister proposes tougher sentences for sexual crimes against children

Lithuanian Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė has presented a 23-part plan to protect children from sexual violence, including longer prison sentences and support for people who feel sexually attracted to children, LRT reported.

The plan would raise sentences for sexual offences against minors from four to 10 years to six to 12 years. It would also set a minimum eight-year sentence for rape, Tamašunienė said.

The minister also proposed offering medication, medical care and psychological support to people who feel such an attraction, while ensuring they can seek help anonymously.

The plan would clarify the responsibilities of organisations that work with children. They should not conduct their own investigations when abuse is suspected, but should take internal action and report the matter to the relevant authorities, Tamašunienė said.

The proposals follow a case at a socialisation centre in Kunionys, where the girl’s father, rather than staff, reported to law enforcement alleged sexual harassment of a teenager by a centre guard. The centre’s head acknowledged that staff had reacted too late.

Discussions are also continuing on a public register of sexual offenders. The minister wants people suspected of sexual offences who work with children to be barred from doing so and denied QR codes. The issue is already being considered in the Seimas.

Opposition lawmaker Paulė Kuzmickienė welcomed the plan but said it should include measures to teach parents and children how to recognise inappropriate behaviour. She also questioned whether funding would be provided for measures that require it.

The State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service receives about 400 reports a year, child rights advocate Agnė Marčiukaitienė said. Sexual violence can involve physical contact or penetration, but also words, remarks and insults. Offenders are often people close to the child, including family members and peers, she said.

Tamašunienė also said she supports renaming streets associated with Polish cleric Henrikas Gulbinovičius, who was convicted of paedophilia. The Vilnius district council has been unable to agree on the issue for more than a year, and the matter has repeatedly been removed from its agenda at the initiative of the Electoral Action of Poles.