Lithuanian government proposes banning convicted child abusers from contacting minors

The Lithuanian government has approved stricter penalties for individuals convicted of violent crimes against minors, including a ban on all contact with children, state broadcaster LRT reports.

Under the proposed amendments, the Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service and correctional institutions would be required to share information about offenders convicted of violent crimes against minors. Currently, no clear system exists for monitoring such individuals after release or restricting their interactions with children.

Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė stated that the changes were prompted by public complaints about offenders returning to environments where they could reoffend against minors. “There is no clear mechanism for exchanging information, no restrictions on communication with minors, and no special conditions for short-term leaves,” the ministry noted, calling the current oversight “fragmented.”

The draft law would prohibit convicted offenders from contacting, communicating with, or meeting their victims. Short-term leave from prison would only be granted after serving three-quarters of their sentence—unless the offender lives in the same household as the victim, in which case no leave would be permitted. Offenders on temporary release would also be subject to electronic monitoring.

The Justice Ministry argues that the lack of coordination increases the risk of repeat offenses and psychological harm to victims.