For instance, the proposed punishment for adults who have sexual intercourse with persons under the age of 16, provided there are no signs of rape or forced intercourse, is increased from the current three to five years in prison.
Meanwhile, a father, a mother, a foster parent or a child's other legitimate representative would face up to six years in prison on the same charges.
Among the newly criminalized actions are the deeds committed online and solicitation of children under 16 for sexual purposes, participation in events of pornographic nature that involve a child.
In order to facilitate investigation of such deeds and provide better protection of underage victims and witnesses, additional guarantees are planned for hearings, for instance, mandatory recording of testimonies during investigation.
"We think that a child should not be summoned to hearings at all," said the Justice Ministry that drafted the amendments.
The amendments were drafted in line with the European Parliament and Council directive, which was enforced on 13 December 2011 to combat child abuse, sexual molestation, and child pornography.
