Increased penalties proposed for sex crimes against youths
Increased penalties proposed for sex crimes against youths
A legal amendment has been proposed that would see heavier penalties for gang rapes and other sex crimes committed against young victims. Penalties include life imprisonment in the event of a gang rape or if a weapon is used.
The amendment would also help protect 13 – 15 year-old victims from forced marriages with their attackers arranged by parents of the latter to avoid criminal penalties – a loophole in the existing Criminal Code.
The amendment proposes the Family and Juvenile Court thoroughly scrutinise such marriages and grant final approval only after it is satisfied victims will be treated as real wives.
The amendment, which was proposed by the Council of State and will be submitted for Cabinet consideration on Tuesday, also suggests another loophole be voided, one that allows an offender to claim ignorance of a victim’s age.
The maximum sentence for rape of a boy or girl younger than 15 regardless of consent will also lengthened, to four to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of Bt80,000 to Bt400,000. If the victim is younger than 13, the maximum sentence would be four to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of Bt100,000 to Bt400,000.
Offenders would also be subject to life imprisonment if they gang-raped boys or girls under 13 or used a weapon during the individual rape of a young victim.
