Justice minister proposes doubling sentence for buying sex from children

Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir has presented draft legislation that would double the maximum prison sentence for buying sex from a child, mbl.is reports.

The proposed amendments to the General Penal Code are intended to reduce demand for prostitution, including child prostitution, as well as combat trafficking for sexual exploitation, organised crime and sexual offences.

The maximum sentence for buying sex from a child would rise from two years in prison to four. The proposal would also remove any distinction based on whether the buyer knew the child’s age at the time of the offence.

It would not matter whether the person receiving the sexual service was paid, or promised payment, by someone else.

The draft would also remove fines as a penalty for buying sex. Such offences could no longer be settled through a police commissioner’s fine and would instead result in a charge and court proceedings.

Under the planned changes, the names of people convicted in court of buying sex would be published. At present, first offences are dealt with through fines.

Gunnlaugsdóttir told mbl.is this summer that she believed the proposed changes would deter potential buyers. The draft states that penalties must have sufficient general and specific deterrent effects to reduce systematic demand for prostitution.