File Photo – Lehtikuva.
A citizens' initiative bill demanding tougher penalties for sexual offences against children was placed in parliament on Thursday.
The required signatures collected for the initiative were handed over to Speaker Maria Lohela.
Last November, more than 58000 people signed their names to the initiative demanding, among other things, minimum penalty for aggravated child sexual abuse be increased to two years' imprisonment.
In addition, the initiative calls for raising the minimum punishment for certain other sexual offenses to four months' imprisonment.
Parliament's debate on the initiative will begin mid-October.
This is the ninth citizen's initiative submitted to parliament.
