RIGA - Parliamentarians today approved in final reading amendments to the Law on Administrative Penalties for Administrative Offences, Public Order and Use of the State Language, which will make sexual harassment punishable by administrative liability.
Members of the Progressives faction of the Parliament, who are the authors of the draft law, have noted that more and more often victims in society disclose times when they have been subjected to shameless sexual harassment in various daily life situations.
Sexual harassment will be understood as, for example, unwanted intentional touching, making offensive, intimate comments or sending information of a sexual nature.
Sexual harassment, i.e. unwanted physical, verbal or written conduct of a sexual nature which is directed against a person's dignity and which places the person in an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive situation, will be punishable by a fine of up to EUR 700.
The introduction of administrative liability for sexual harassment is an important step in deterring harassers from committing further sexual offences with more harmful consequences, for which the Criminal Code (i.e. offences against morals and sexual integrity) provides for liability, the authors of the draft law argue.
The amendments stipulate that the State Police, which already investigates criminal proceedings for sexual offences, will be competent to conduct administrative proceedings for sexual harassment.
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