Terms of Children Interrogation may be Changed in Belarus

The authors of the amendments suggest questioning a child victim only once according to certain standards and laws. They believe that interrogation is best done in a specially equipped room, preferably in a child care center, BelTA informs.

Andrei Makhanko notes that sexually abused children rarely testify in court in Belarus, as judges are generally satisfied with the evidence gathered during the preliminary investigation. He says that a number of proposals of "Understanding" have already been reflected in the draft national plan of action for the protection of children and their rights for 2012-2016.

Thus, the project includes proposals for the development of room of interrogation friendly to kids, as well as rehabilitation services for abused children. Some initiatives may be implemented in the near future. "This means that the dialogue is being conducted and the proposals of civil society are being implemented in practice," considers the head of "Understanding."

As Telegraf previously reported, according to statistics, 32 children were rapped during the ten months of 2010 in Belarus, while 15 children became victims of sexual abuse. Seven young women were recognized as victims of offenders, forcing into prostitution, while four juveniles were involved in prostitution and the three mere became the victims of human trafficking. Nine children, including 7 to 14 years of age, were involved in porno-peddling. Three children were abducted and confined.

Meanwhile, February 7, 2012, the Russian State Duma passed a law providing for chemical castration as a punishment for sexual abuse of children.