“The proposed strengthening of the criminal law in sexual matters is an important step in the fight against sexual abuse and exploitation of children,” Ombudsman Charel Schmit told journalists on Friday.
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Earlier on Friday morning, Schmit presented the main points of the OKAJU’s opinion on Draft Bill 7949. However, Schmit also stressed that the OKAJU thinks that the state should go further in the areas of victim protection and prevention.
The extension of the statute of limitations is “very important,” according to Schmit because the consequences of crimes “mark the victim for life”.
From the moment an assault is reported to the police, the person concerned should also receive psychotherapeutic support “from the very first hour,” the Ombudsman demands.
As an example of good practice, Schmit referred to the existing offer for victims of domestic violence, whose children are contacted within 24 hours by a psychotherapy service.
In addition, Schmit stressed that it is “extremely traumatic” for children to have to repeat their testimonies. For this reason, the Ombudsman advises the state to adopt the Scandinavian “Barnahus” approach, which creates a network between important actors such as the police, doctors, and psychologists in the interest of the child.
The OKAJU also calls for a ban on certain professions for people who work with and abuse children. A ban that could range from ten years to life, depending on the severity of the act.
The draft bill also includes stricter measures against sexual abuse of children on the internet. According to the OKAJU, however, there is a need for stricter EU legislation to “prevent and combat sexual abuse of children on the internet”. Criminals should not be allowed to “hide behind data protection laws,” the Ombudsman argued.
