Russia (bbabo.net), - The State Duma adopted a law on strengthening measures to protect children from crimes against sexual integrity. New aggravating circumstances are introduced, as well as punishment for harboring pedophiles.

The document was submitted to the State Duma by the vice speaker of the chamber, Irina Yarovaya, in 2018.

According to the changes:

- the statute of limitations for crimes against young children is suspended until the victim reaches the age of majority;

- aggravating circumstances are established. This will affect one or another person who lives together with the child, is responsible for him or teaches in schools and kindergartens;

- criminal liability will be threatened for concealing a crime if it became known to another person from among the acquaintances of the child. The fine will be up to 100 thousand rubles, forced labor for up to a year, imprisonment for the same period is also possible;

- at the same time, concealment of especially grave crimes is punishable by a fine of up to 200 thousand rubles, or by forced labor for up to two years, or by arrest for up to six months, or by imprisonment for up to two years.

- tougher criminal liability for forcing children to engage in sexual activities using the Internet or the media. Or if the crime is committed by a group of persons by prior agreement or by a recidivist pedophile. Such acts will be punished by imprisonment for up to 6 years.

- in addition, the bill determines that during the interrogation of victims and witnesses under the age of 16 (and if the court decides, then up to 18 years), the presence of a psychologist is mandatory. It is established that children under 7 years old cannot be interrogated for more than half an hour without a break, and in total interrogation can last no more than an hour.

“Often, violence against a child, using his position, is committed by a person on whom the victim depends,” commented the speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin. “In this regard, it was decided to introduce aggravating circumstances.”

According to him, the law establishes new measures to protect children from violence, but the State Duma intends to continue working on this issue. "I am convinced that for any crime against a child, the sentence should be tough," Volodin stressed.

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