Poland to introduce harsher sentences for child abuse

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland’s Ruling party promised harsher sentences for child abuse, as the release of a documentary about paedophile priests created a fresh battleground in an election campaign marked by debate on religion and sexuality.

The film “Just don’t tell anyone”, which features victims confronting their abusers, has reignited criticism of the Catholic Church’s handling of such cases in Poland.

“Kaczynski said the proposed changes to the penal code will mean child abuse will be punished very severely and there will be no suspended sentences but the possibility of even up to 30 years in prison,” said the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party’s head Jaroslaw Kaczynski at a rally in the weekend.

Currently, sexual abuse of a child under 15 is punishable by up to 12 years in prison.

Kaczynski’s words came amid tensions between liberals who feel the church wields too much power in Poland and conservatives who see the Catholic faith as a key element of national identity whose influence must be protected.

via Reuters