On Thursday, 18 June, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Law on the Protection of the Rights of the Child, which prohibit adults in positions of authority from entering into intimate relationships with persons under 18. The amendments were proposed by Members of the Saeima.

The Criminal Law provides for criminal liability for sexual contacts with a child under the age of 16. However, even between the ages of 16 and 18, a young person is not yet fully physically and emotionally mature and may be particularly dependent on adults who supervise, educate, or care for them. Cases are relatively frequent where young people aged 16 to 18 are involved in sexual activities with significantly older adults who are in positions of influence and authority, such as coaches, teachers, or camp leaders. Therefore, such situations must not be allowed, and children must be protected from the abuse of such authority, as previously emphasised by the proponents of the amendments.

The amendments provide for enshrining in law a clear prohibition for an adult who is in a position of authority in relation to a child to enter into intimate relationships with that child. Intimate relationships are defined as mutual personal relations involving activities of a sexual nature or such romantic or emotional closeness that exceeds the boundaries of a professional relationship. The prohibition will apply irrespective of whether the child has reached the age of 16 and whether the child has expressed consent.

The authors of the draft law previously explained that, internationally, increasing attention is being paid to the issue of so-called grooming—the deliberate manipulation of a child or young person in order to establish trust and gain subjection for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

Saeima Press Service