Tougher penalties

According to the deputies of the Supreme Council, the measures of criminal punishment for crimes against the sexual inviolability of minors should be toughened. The legislations proposed by a group of parliamentarians of the Committee on Legislation, Protection of the Rights and Freedoms of Citizens were adopted in the first reading.

The Criminal Code expands the categories of persons for whom more severe punishment can be imposed. For example, rape is punishable by imprisonment from 3 to 6 years. According to the deputies, those who live with the child and are responsible for him, who work with children in educational, cultural, sports and other institutions should punish more severely that is give the maximum term.

This is due to the fact that these persons have a special nature of interaction with the child, have confidence and are in constant communication with children, the authors of the law-in-draft noted, responsibility for harboring grave crimes committed against children under 14 is also being introduced. Those who commit such acts will be punished with a fine of up to 700 minimum wages (12880 rubles) or compulsory labor up to 180 hours or imprisonment for up to 1 year.

Responsibility for compelling a minor to act of a sexual nature is being strengthened. The current norm prescribes a fine from 1000 to 3000 RU of the minimum wage (18400 - 55200 rubles) or imprisonment for up to 3 years. If the crime is committed by a group of persons by prior agreement or by a person who has a previous conviction for a previously committed crime against the sexual integrity of a minor as well as if the media and the Internet were used, it is proposed to increase the term of imprisonment from 3 to 6 years without the right to continue to hold certain positions for up to 10 years.

The Code of Criminal Procedure is also being amended. It is prescribed at the level of the law that during the interrogation of a minor or a victim, a psychologist must be present at the court session.

As noted in the explanatory note, the proposed legislations are also aimed at the early detection of crimes, the protection and safety of children and the inevitability of punishment of those responsible.

The relevant committee will continue to work on changes to the criminal law.