More than 100 released prisoners have been convicted of sexual offenses against minors and are being monitored by the Supervisory Authority, which, however, is toothless, since it does not have invigilators.
A bill that strengthened its powers and tightened surveillance procedures such as the powers of the Courts, has been going back and forth between the Legal Service and the Social Welfare Services since 2024. The problem with paedophiles is growing and despite the severe penalties imposed by the Courts, cases are increasing year by year instead of decreasing.
Indicative of the situation is that at the moment in the Central Prisons there are incarcerated people after convictions by the Courts:
100 persons serving prison sentences for offences of a sexual nature against minors.
20 persons who are in prison as prisoners also for sexual crimes against minors.
28 people are serving prison sentences for sexual offences against adults.
13 persons are on trial for cases involving sexual assaults against adults.
This picture with 161 people serving a sentence or being on trial for sexual offenses against minors and adults and with about 100 released from prison is tragic.
It is noted that a year ago the convicts who were released from prison for sexual offenses against minors and were supervised by the Supervisory Authority were 70, while now they have reached about 100. This shows the picture that is formed without any evidence to prevent such heinous incidents. This is due to the fact that victims have been encouraged to make complaints, knowing that they will be adequately investigated and that there will be convictions.
Where there seems to be a problem, as pointed out to "F" by various services involved, is in the supervision of paedophiles when they are released. There have been cases where people after their release were seen moving near the homes or schools attended by the victims, in violation of the decrees issued by the Courts. At the moment, there are no invigilators to supervise these persons and whether they comply with the decrees of the Courts, with the result that there is no effective control.
The gaps in the absence of strict supervision of these people were identified and that is why a bill was prepared by the former Commissioner for Legislation Louisa Zannetou under the ministry of Marios Hartsiotis, which gave more powers to the Courts and the Supervisory Authority, tightened the supervision framework and most importantly, supervisors would be appointed to supervise and implement the conditions decided either by the Court or by the Authority.
The bill was sent to the Legal Service for comments and is now before the Social Welfare Services. It has not been submitted to Parliament even though it was ready more than two years ago.
Supervision currently includes the imposition of restrictions on the work and residence of the convicts, their psychological support, treatment and evaluation in the event of a repetition of the offense and their monitoring by the Services involved.
In particular, persons convicted of sexual offences against minors are referred to the Supervisory Authority:
By decision of a court at any stage of the criminal proceedings or during the imposition of the sentence.
By the adoption of a supervision order by the court at the request of the Attorney General.
Upon their release, for which the Supervisory Authority is informed by the Prison Directorate.
The Supervisory Authority, which is chaired by the current Director General of the Ministry of Justice, was established on 30/09/2014 by decision of the Council of Ministers. The Authority, after taking into account the facts of each case, the reports of the Mental Health Services and the Social Welfare Services and the Police, decides on the appropriate measures for the supervision of the released prisoners referred to it, such as psychological support or therapeutic intervention.
At the same time, the Authority evaluates their response and accordingly decides either to continue the measures or to revise them.
Appointment of invigilators, notification of spouse
The new bill prepared by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, in cooperation with the co-competent ministries and Services, aims to improve the operation and effectiveness of the Authority. It was submitted to the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, as the competent authority and which provides for the expansion of the responsibilities/powers of the Authority in order to intensify the supervision of those convicted of sexual offenses against minors.
The bill will enable the Authority to appoint invigilators, as well as to impose additional restrictive measures on supervised convicts, such as, for example, prohibiting them from entering or staying near schools or places frequented by their victims or other children, prohibiting access to specific websites, restricting them to their homes for specific hours at night if deemed appropriate, their obligation to report to a police station and inform whether they have entered into a new relationship with a woman who has children, as well as to inform their new partner or husband of their conviction.
It is also provided for the mandatory attendance of a treatment program and the notification of the Police and the Supervisory Authority or the invigilator in case of a change of address or work.
Coach and psychologist in the cell
Just last Tuesday, a psychologist and a coach were sentenced by the Limassol Criminal Court to prison for sexual offenses against minors. In the first case, a defendant was sentenced to six years in prison, after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a minor. According to what was broadcast, the minor was monitored by the accused in his capacity as a psychologist.
In a second case, a football coach and owner was sentenced to four years in prison, after he was found guilty of sexual offences against minors. The Court issued a decree prohibiting convicted persons, for a period of three years after their release, from offering any services to children, from being employed or employed in places where children are or frequent.
By the adoption of a supervision order by the court at the request of the Attorney General.
Upon their release, for which the Supervisory Authority is informed by the Prison Directorate.
The Supervisory Authority, which is chaired by the current Director General of the Ministry of Justice, was established on 30/09/2014 by decision of the Council of Ministers. The Authority, after taking into account the facts of each case, the reports of the Mental Health Services and the Social Welfare Services and the Police, decides on the appropriate measures for the supervision of the released prisoners referred to it, such as psychological support or therapeutic intervention.
At the same time, the Authority evaluates their response and accordingly decides either to continue the measures or to revise them.
Appointment of invigilators, notification of spouse
The new bill prepared by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, in cooperation with the co-competent ministries and Services, aims to improve the operation and effectiveness of the Authority. It was submitted to the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, as the competent authority and which provides for the expansion of the responsibilities/powers of the Authority in order to intensify the supervision of those convicted of sexual offenses against minors.
The bill will enable the Authority to appoint invigilators, as well as to impose additional restrictive measures on supervised convicts, such as, for example, prohibiting them from entering or staying near schools or places frequented by their victims or other children, prohibiting access to specific websites, restricting them to their homes for specific hours at night if deemed appropriate, their obligation to report to a police station and inform whether they have entered into a new relationship with a woman who has children, as well as to inform their new partner or husband of their conviction.
It is also provided for the mandatory attendance of a treatment program and the notification of the Police and the Supervisory Authority or the invigilator in case of a change of address or work.
Coach and psychologist in the cell
Just last Tuesday, a psychologist and a coach were sentenced by the Limassol Criminal Court to prison for sexual offenses against minors. In the first case, a defendant was sentenced to six years in prison, after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a minor. According to what was broadcast, the minor was monitored by the accused in his capacity as a psychologist.
In a second case, a football coach and owner was sentenced to four years in prison, after he was found guilty of sexual offences against minors. The Court issued a decree prohibiting convicted persons, for a period of three years after their release, from offering any services to children, from being employed or employed in places where children are or frequent.
