Greece’s Justice Minister announced tougher sentences for crimes of sexual violence against minors and turning incest into a felony.
As part of changes to the state’s treatment of sexual violence against minors, Justice Minister Kostas Tsiaras on Monday announced a far tougher approach, which includes making incest a felony after reforms to the penal code in 2019 made it a misdemeanor.
Speaking at the Delphi Economic Forum’s “Fighting Impunity in the 21st Century” event, Justice Minister Kostas Tsiaras announced a far tougher state approach as part of changes to the state’s treatment of sexual violence against minors and that this will include making incest a felony after reforms to the penal code in 2019 made it a misdemeanor.
He also announced the suspension of the beginning of the limitation period, both for misdemeanors and felonies, so that it starts when the victim becomes an adult.
Moreover, the offense of insulting sexual dignity will now be prosecuted regardless of whether the victim files a complaint.
He also announced longer prison terms for heinous crimes, while life sentences will mean 20 years behind bars – instead of the 16 which is the case today – in accordance with a proposal by a special ministry committee.
Encouraged by the #MeToo movement in Greece, more and more minors and/or their parents denounce sexual abuse and file against abusers. Such news have almost become daily in the media in the last months.
About prosecution of insults, yikes! I am just as many not a big fan of insulting but freedom of speech is far more important than hurt feelings. It doesn’t matter which subject, words should never get you prosecuted unless it’s a nasty threat to harm someone physically.