The new amendment to Polish penal code tightens the penalties for serious crimes against children

The new amendment to Polish penal code tightens the penalties for serious crimes against children. Grievous bodily injury is classified as a crime now. Child abuse is punishable by imprisonment up to eight years. The penalty regarding unlawful deprivation of freedom, illegal restraint, abandoning, kidnapping, when the victim is helpless due to age or health, is increased up to 12 years of imprisonment. A penalty of up to 3 years imprisonment for failing to notify law enforcement authorities of crimes targeted at the welfare of the child has also been introduced. The last, new, solution refers to:
- crimes against sexuality and decency: collective rape; against a minor under the age of 15; incest; with extreme cruelty,
- use of helplessness,
- sexual exploitation of a minor under the age of 15.
The amendment is currently awaiting entry into force. This will take place on July 1, 2017.