Sexual exploitation crime results in new legislation
Astrict legislative framework for dealing with sexual crimes against children and women trapped by prostitution rings and human traffickers is being introduced in a Justice Ministry draft bill providing for criminal prosecution and prison sentences of 10 years to life. Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos released the draft law earlier this week for «fighting the trade in human beings, crimes against human freedom, child pornography and the economic exploitation of human life generally. This is the third largest criminal activity after the illegal trade in drugs and weapons. According to UNICEF, one million children and 700,000 women are forced into prostitution every year,» he said. Organized crime networks selling women and children into sexual slavery in Western Europe had a turnover of over 7 billion euros (2.4 trillion drachmas) in 2000. In view of this trend, the criminal code was reformed to deal more drastically with this form of crime. For the first time, the law will provide for the protection of victims and will assist them financially, legally, and psychologically. Other amendments provide for harsher punishment (up to 10 years’ imprisonment, irrespective of the victim’s sex) for the crimes of extramarital sex and sodomy carried out by exploiting a victim’s physical or mental disability. Pimping will be punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, but if the victim is under the age of 15 and forced into the act by a relative or adoptive parent, the sentences range from a minimum of five to a maximum of 25 years. Trading in humans by physical force, threats or other coercive means will also be punishable by up to 10 years in prison, longer if the victim is a child; if the victim dies as a result of the crime, then the punishment handed down will be a life sentence. If these acts take place on commercial premises, the law provides for a revocation of the business license. Prosecution of crimes such as seducing minors will be automatic and not subject to a suit being brought, as is the case now. Prison sentences of up to 10 years are also in store for anyone caught forcing a person to cross into or out of Greece, detaining people against their will for the purpose of removing body organs or forcing them to work. For the first time in Greece, child pornography is specified as such in the law and subject to a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment if accompanied by physical force. The phenomenon, which has become much more widespread via the Internet, rakes in huge profits for the criminals concerned, said Petsalnikos. The minimum age has been raised to 18 for all crimes against the exploitation of minors. Another provision introduces something else that is new to Greece – the recruitment of children for armed conflicts, punishable by at least 10 years and fines of 50,000 to 100,000 euros. Advertisements for sexual services using children are banned and prison sentences await «all those who try to facilitate sexual acts with minors for profit, through advertisements, images, telephone numbers or electronic mail.» Sentences for child pornography are graded according to the gravity of the crime – at least one year in prison and a 10,000-50,000 euro fine for filming, possessing, obtaining, purchasing, carrying, distributing or selling pornography, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a 10,000-100,000 euro fine if the material in question is linked to the exploitation of need or mental disability, or obtained by the use of physical force. If the act results in grievous bodily harm, the minimum sentence is 10 years and the fine goes up to 60,000 to 500,000 euros.
