Greek father acquitted of charges after sleeping in daughter's bed

A Greek court has acquitted a father accused of offending his 9-year-old daughter's sexual dignity after he fell asleep in the same bed with her. The case began when the daughter told her mother that she had slept next to her father. The mother, believing this negatively impacted the child's psychological development, filed a complaint against the father.

“

Yes, we must be careful about every behavior, but not when the only thing present is love.

The defense argued that the initial complaint lacked any mention of inappropriate behavior, abuse, or suspicious actions. They contended there was no evidence to support the charge. Despite this, the prosecutor proceeded with a trial, accusing the father of domestic offense against sexual dignity, initiating a difficult legal battle.

“

If we prosecute a father who slept with his minor daughter one night, or a mother who slept with her minor son, then we will be heading down very bad roads.

The Monomeles Court of Misdemeanors in Patras reviewed all evidence and unanimously acquitted the father. The court determined that no illegal or immoral act occurred and that the father and child sharing a bed did not constitute an offense under the specific circumstances. The defense lawyer, Akis Vavaroutas, emphasized the case's social implications, warning against the "generalized hysteria" surrounding family relationships and the "instrumentalization of children" in family disputes. He stressed the importance of love and affection in children's lives and cautioned against prosecuting fathers for innocent acts of affection.

“

It is morally unacceptable for parents to 'instrumentalize their children' for personal purposes or revenge, causing irreparable harm to their mental health and innocence.