A set of measures to combat pedophilia has started in Postavy

From April 26 to May 31, as part of additional measures to combat crimes against sexual freedom and sexual inviolability of minors, a republican operational and preventive complex is being carried out in the Postavy district.

This complex is aimed at combating crimes against the sexual inviolability or sexual freedom of minors, as well as the circulation of child pornography. The main goal of the initiative is to encourage the public to immediately report sexual acts against children to the police. This will help law enforcement officers to take timely response measures.

The complex of measures provides for joint work with all interested prevention entities. In particular, with education and healthcare workers, as well as public associations. Police officers will inform specialists about the mechanism for early detection of pedophilia and other illegal behavior.

Unfortunately, negative trends in the commission of crimes against sexual freedom and sexual inviolability of minors still persist. The high latency of crimes related to sexual violence against children allows perpetrators to remain out of sight of law enforcement for a long time, and their victims to be subjected to further violence. This prevention is carried out primarily to identify and prevent such crimes.

In the Postavy district, 10 crimes against sexual freedom and sexual inviolability of minors were identified in the past period of 2022. In the past period of 2023, 1 crime was identified under Part 2 of Article 343-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (production and distribution of pornographic materials and objects of a pornographic nature depicting a knowingly minor).

Thus, on the social network "VKontakte", a man met a 17-year-old student from one of the educational institutions of the Postavy district. Correspondence began, during which the man from Glubokoe began to ask the minor for her photos, initially simple, then pornographic. The minor tried in every possible way to refuse, telling the man from Glubokoe that a police officer had come to her educational institution and told her about the responsibility for such actions. However, the internet acquaintance was persistent and convinced the girl from Postavy that nothing would happen to her, as he was not going to send these photos to anyone. As a result, he received pornographic images depicting the minor. After some time, he had a quarrel with the minor, after which he sent pornographic materials to her minor friend, who contacted a social pedagogue. Now the man from Glubokoe faces 3 to 8 years of imprisonment.

Sexual intercourse with a person under the age of sixteen has also been established. An 18-year-old guy met a 14-year-old schoolgirl from our district. The virtual acquaintance grew into real meetings, which began to take place at the guy's home and, by mutual consent, ended in sexual contact. The police officers handed over the materials of the conducted investigation on this fact to the Investigative Committee for a decision on initiating a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 168 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. The responsibility for which provides for restriction or deprivation of liberty for up to 4 years.

If you have been a victim of a crime or have information about a committed crime, immediately contact the police at: Postavy, Sovetskaya St., 43 or by phone number 102. Anonymity is guaranteed.