A bill that would impose significantly harsher penalties for convicted child rapists is expected to be presented to the House of Representatives in the coming days, local media reported on Tuesday.

The bill was proposed by Dipa MP Michalis Yiakoumi and would give judges the ability to impose life sentences on people found guilty of raping minors.

The proposal also provides for the possibility of probation, but only if the convicted person has agreed to and undergoes chemical castration.

In Cyprus, life prisoners can usually apply for parole after spending at least 12 years behind bars.

"The proposed law is based on the need to take stricter and more deterrent measures to protect our children and ensure that the perpetrators of such heinous crimes receive the punishment they deserve," the MP told the daily Politis .

“Strengthening the current legal framework would be a clear signal that our society does not tolerate any form of sexual abuse.”

In the Czech Republic, convicted serial sex offenders have the option of undergoing an orchiectomy – the surgical removal of one or both testicles – instead of a long prison sentence.

In Poland, judges can sentence convicted child molesters to chemical castration. This involves administering drugs that are intended to suppress the offender's sex drive and thus prevent a relapse.

The Polish law came into force in 2010. It applies to men who rape children or close family members. Under the law, prisoners would be forced to take drugs that suppress their sex drive after their release. However, courts must seek the opinion of psychiatrists before ordering it .

In the United States, many states impose orchiectomies and chemical castration on sex offenders.

Source: CyprusMail.com

Author: Elias Hazou