Expert: child sex offenders register will work only after conviction

A public register of people convicted of sexual offences against children would not have prevented the latest alleged cases because such registers and verification codes apply only after a conviction, Vilnius University Psychology Institute professor Paulius Skruibis told LRT.

Confidence in the Catholic Church has again been shaken by new allegations of sexual offences. Two cases have been referred to court. In one, a priest who worked in the Vilnius Archdiocese is accused of 34 offences, including the rape of a young child and a minor, exploiting children for pornography and child molestation.

Eleven children have been recognised as victims, and the offences may have been committed over 23 years. In the second case, another priest is accused of possessing child pornography.

The Kalesninkai parish in Šalčininkai district has been left shocked by allegations against priest Tadas Švedavičius, who served there for almost nine years. Residents have found it difficult to believe that he may have abused 11 children while working in six different places over 23 years.

“I really didn’t believe it. He was a good priest, I can’t say anything else,” one parish resident told LRT television.

“It’s a shock to me. I would never have thought that. He was a calm priest,” said another.

“It is not for us to discuss him; God will judge him. He was a very good priest and a good person,” another resident said.

In the other case referred to court, priest Ryšardas Peciunas, who served in the Vilnius Archdiocese, is accused of possessing child pornography. He denies the allegations, while Švedavičius has admitted his guilt. Both priests have been suspended from their duties while the court proceedings continue.

Calls for a register and training

After news of the allegations shook the Catholic Church, the archbishop of Vilnius addressed the faithful, calling on them to pray, remain vigilant and report inappropriate behaviour to law enforcement.

At the beginning of last week, the government held a meeting to discuss whether child protection was working as it should. Following the meeting, officials proposed creating a public register of people convicted of sexual offences against children.

“We discussed the need to return to this issue and look for solutions concerning public access to information as an important preventive measure,” Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė said.

Child rights officials said they would propose organising training in two archdioceses and five dioceses. The training would cover what sexual violence is, what behaviour is inappropriate, which signs indicate that a child may be experiencing sexual violence and how people should respond, said Ilma Skuodienė, director of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service.

Skuodienė said it was necessary to check the QR codes of all people volunteering or providing services in religious communities. The codes show whether a person has been convicted of sexual offences.

She also said that people with an inclination towards such offences needed better access to psychological and medical treatment.

The speaker of the Seimas and the prosecutor general also met to discuss what was lacking in efforts to prevent sexual offences against children. After the meeting, they expressed support for the idea of a public register and proposals to amend the Criminal Code and the Code of Enforcement of Punishments.

Register would not address current cases

However, experts have raised questions about a public register. Skruibis said registers and QR codes work only once a person has been convicted.

“In other words, these measures would not address the specific situations we are discussing. They would not have helped in these cases,” he said.

Skruibis said attention should instead be focused on the systemic reasons why alleged abuse could continue for decades without anyone knowing or reporting it.

The archbishop of Vilnius has said that it is not yet time for an independent investigation, while specialists have warned of the long-term consequences of sexual abuse.