Kudos to Depa MP Michalis Yiakoumi who is advocating harsher sentences for child predators.

Although Cyprus’ criminal code enshrines life sentences as the maximum penalty for a number of sexual crimes against children, sentencing is often seen by child advocates as inadequate and inconsistent.

In Cyprus, the most anyone has been convicted for the sexual abuse of a child is 26 years for serial rape over six years.

By contrast. another a man was given only six years for raping a girl under 13 in 2019. The appeals court raised this to nine years, which still hardly seems like enough for the rape of a child. Does a child raped once deserve less justice?

In another case, a former teacher received only two-and-a-half years for sexually abusing a minor approximately 20 years ago. What are the odds she was his only victim?

Murderers are harshly dealt with for taking a life. Just because the victims of child sexual abuse are still walking around doesn’t mean their lives have not been impacted to varying degrees emotionally and psychologically, in some cases devastatingly and irreversibly, and at a minimum by developing trust issues that can destroy their adult relationships.

Although it is an extremely complex issue with many facets to consider, the data is telling.  According to studies, childhood sexual abuse is associated with six of eight adult psychiatric diagnoses including borderline personality disorder, anxiety, depression and PTSD, often accompanied by substance abuse. There is also a two to five-fold higher risk of suicide later in life.

At the same time, when it’s known that the reconviction rate for child predators is higher than for other criminal offences surely it’s best to keep them off the streets for as long as the law allows.

Yiakoumi said around 70 convicted child sex offenders are currently under surveillance by the Sex Offenders Supervision Authority. Why are resources being utilised to monitor sex offenders when many of them could have received longer sentences as provided by law?

As for chemical castration, which he also raised and is used in several counties, it’s reversible when treatment is discontinued. It’s not proven to be totally effective and convicted abusers tend to choose this option in return for shorter sentences – not because they regret their actions.

Mitigators often try to excuse offenders who may themselves have been abused as children. But not all abusers were child victims and not all victims go on to victimise, especially girls who are the main target of predators.

Child sex abuse is a sickness but acting on it is still a conscious choice. As with premediated murder, intent precedes action. Predators are not jumping out of bushes on impulse. They deliberately groom, plan, intimidate and manipulate the most vulnerable group in society. 

Consistent sentencing or perhaps even introducing a minimum sentence are more than worthy of further discussion as the maximum sentences as they stand don’t seem to be much of a deterrent.

The expression “prosecuted to the full extent of the law”, should mean something or else it doesn’t mean anything.