Updating the EU-wide definitions of the crimes linked to child sexual abuse (CSA), the proposal endorsed by MEPs also adapts them to new technologies. The aim is to improve cooperation between national authorities on investigations and prosecutions and on victim support.

Higher punishments and no limitation periods

In their amendments, MEPs propose to raise the maximum punishments for a number of CSA offences, including for sexual activities with children above the age of sexual consent who do not consent. Other examples are recruiting children for exploitation in prostitution, possessing or distributing CSA material, and offering remuneration for certain CSA crimes.

MEPs also want to abolish limitation periods for crimes covered by the updated law, since statistics show that the majority of victims only speak about their experiences a long time after the offence occurred. Victims should also be able to seek compensation indefinitely.

New technological crimes

To bring EU laws up…