Issues of preventing crimes against sexual integrity were discussed at the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee
Thanks to online participation, representatives of various prevention entities, responsible for addressing these issues, were able to join the discussion of this important topic. The meeting was also attended by the Assistant to the President – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region, Sergey Levkovich, and the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic of Belarus, Sergey Khmaruk.
— Our agenda today is extensive, but very relevant. There is one issue – "On the effectiveness of measures taken by prevention entities to counter crimes against the sexual integrity or sexual freedom of minors, and the distribution of child pornography in the Vitebsk Region," said the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin. — This topic cannot leave any normal person indifferent.
He noted that in 2023, law enforcement officers took serious measures aimed at preventing such violations of the law. However, at the same time, a significant increase in the number of such crimes is observed.
— This is unacceptable for a healthy society. The problem persists. And what to do next, how, and in what format, we will try to figure out today, — emphasized the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee.
The Head of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Major General of Militia Andrei Lyubimov, began his speech not with statistics, but with questions. He inquired whether those present always monitor their own minor children: their free time, their behavior on the Internet. Are adults sure that they know their child's virtual social circle, what sites they visit, what groups they are subscribed to? Do the participants of the meeting know how to use parental control software and are they aware of its existence? Can everyone say that they have fully taken care of their children's safety themselves? This gave many food for thought.
Andrei Lyubimov announced disappointing figures. The number of registered crimes related to the above-mentioned category has increased – both in the country as a whole and in the Vitebsk region. In the region, 189 such crimes were registered, 23 of which are related to the production of pornographic materials. More than 400 victims of violence of various kinds were identified – this includes sexual offenses, rape, and the production of pornography.