Virginijus Sinkevičius: The state cannot wait for another victim

Lithuania must adopt a firm stance against sexual offenders, ensuring punishment is both severe and unavoidable. Merely imprisoning individuals and releasing them after a few years is insufficient; effective measures must include treatment, risk assessment, and post-sentence supervision to prevent future harm.

The scale of the problem is immense, with statistics revealing that one in five children in Europe experiences some form of sexual abuse during their lifetime. In Lithuania alone, 422 children were officially recorded as victims last year, averaging more than one child per day. Alarmingly, four out of five sexual offenders are not random strangers but individuals who should hold positions of authority and trust.

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Punishment must be strict and unavoidable. But just imprisoning a person and releasing them after a few years is not enough. Treatment, risk assessment, and supervision after the sentence are needed.

The author strongly condemns any attempt to justify leniency for clergy members who commit crimes against children, highlighting the profound betrayal of trust and the damage inflicted upon innocent souls. Appealing for clemency in such cases is seen not as forgiveness but as indifference to both the victim and the religious community.

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1 in 5 children in Europe experiences some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Last year in Lithuania, 422 children were officially recorded as victims - more than one per day.

A national registry of sexual offenders, encompassing both child and adult victims, is presented as an essential and non-negotiable requirement. This database, coupled with a requirement for a certificate when seeking employment in any role involving children, vulnerable individuals, or past victims, is deemed easily implementable. Similarly, automated systems to inform local police about offenders moving into their areas and protocols for periodic, preventive monitoring of such individuals are suggested.

The article also addresses the debate around chemical castration, dismissing attempts to frame it as a conflict that prioritizes child molesters' supposed "humanity" over children's welfare. If a pedophile is a conscious offender, chemical castration serves as a punishment. If, as many argue, pedophilia is an illness, then curbing uncontrollable impulses through this method is, first and foremost, aid to the patient. South Korea's experience, where chemical castration combined with psychotherapy has reportedly reduced recidivism by approximately eightfold, is cited as evidence.

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4 out of 5 sexual offenders are not random strangers, but people who should be their authorities.

For cases of long-term sexual exploitation, a thorough investigation into how and why such abuse went undetected for years is deemed a matter of public interest. While Lithuania may not be able to completely halt all crimes, even with a package of measures, individual risk assessment and a multi-faceted approach are crucial for protecting its citizens.

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It is not forgiveness, but indifference - both towards the victim and the entire religious community.