Hello everyone,
Just to keep you informed with the latest actions at European Level:
"MOVE TO COMBAT SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
The Citizens' Rights Committee is endorsing a Commission proposal (COM(2000) 854) to tackle the problem of child pornography and the sexual exploitation of children through the harmonisation of penalties for offenders. The proposal would make the sexual exploitation of children - defined as being under the age of 18 - punishable by a maximum prison sentence of no less than four years, or no less than one year for the possession of child pornography. However, if a child is under the age of ten or particular ruthlessness is used, substantial profits are generated or a criminal organisation is involved, the maximum penalty would be no less than eight years. Instigation and aiding and abetting would be punishable as well, while legal persons who benefit from the sexual exploitation of children would also be made legally liable. Nevertheless, Anna KARAMANOU (PES, GR) on behalf of the committee is tabling non-binding amendments designed to make the text tougher(Doc.: A5-0206/2001).
The committee believes that the maximum penalty of no less than eight years should apply where the children involved are under the age of 16 (instead of ten) or where the offence involves children with physical or mental disabilities or without the capacity to give informed consent. Member States should nevertheless be free to set a higher age limit. Parents or legal custodians who have allowed a child to engage in prostitution or pornography should also be regarded as criminal offenders, as should persons working in the field such as teachers or social workers who have had reason to suspect that a child has fallen victim to sexual exploitation but have nevertheless failed to notify the law enforcement authorities.
Any criminal sentence should be accompanied by psychiatric treatment. In the case of child pornography, the committee believes that not only the production, processing, distribution, offering, advertising or possession of pornographic material should be punishable, but also advertising and inducement. However, the acquisition and possession of child pornography should only be punishable if it is conscious or deliberate. Also, the definition of child pornography should be much more specific than 'material that visually depicts a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct'.
The committee feels that material in which children's genitals or pubic regions are exposed for sexual purposes should be considered pornographic, as should audiovisual material which seeks to encourage paedophilic acts or to provide information on children which may be used for sexual exploitation. Finally, the committee is advocating better protection of and assistance to victims and witnesses, and says financial compensation for rehabilitation should be compulsory and be financed out of confiscated proceeds of crime. Furthermore, registers should be made of all criminal offenders, and this should be accessible to all Member States and Europol. Debate on 11.06.2001. "
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp