MOSCOW, October 20. /TASS/. The rate of sexual abuse against children in Russia is growing catastrophically, alarmed experts are warning society. Many urge extra measures in addition to the existing ones, which quite often just do not work. Some are for launching money-raising campaigns to finance the chemical castration of pedophiles and for keeping them under surveillance after they have served the prison term. According to the available statistics a pedophile turns into a habitual criminal in 97% of cases.
Mass media report cases of sex abuse against minors with alarming regularity. Just recently the police detained several crime rings responsible for sexual exploitation of youngsters under age. Just several days ago the Moscow Region’s police detained four serial pedophiles who in caretakers’ disguise were accompanying children to different health resorts inside Russia and in other countries.
By the law the pedophiles are punishable with prison terms ranging three to ten years, and up to 20 years behind bars, if the boy or girl is under twelve years of age. Experts believe, though, the irreversibility of punishment is far more important than its harshness. In the meantime, too many manage to shirk responsibility.