Parliament extends sexual crime protections to children under 16

Sexual offences against 16-year-olds will be treated as crimes against minors. Those under the age of 16 will receive the same legal protection against sexual offences as children under the age of 14. The change was approved by parliament at second reading. The bill was introduced by MPs from the DPS-New Beginning party.

Lawmakers also agreed that anyone who exposes, presents, offers, sells, rents, or otherwise distributes pornographic material involving a person under the age of 16 will face up to six years in prison and a fine of up to 5,000 leva.

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported that parliament also voted that sexual abuse of a person under the age of 16 will be punishable by five to twenty years in prison.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova