Sexual harassment will be punished criminally in Moldova as well

The Parliament adopted amendments to the law on the combating and prevention of violence passed in 2007, including the term of sexual harassment in the Moldovan legislation. The Penal Code will also contain stipulations concerning sexual harassment, Info-Prim Neo reports. Sexual harassment is defined as intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and annoyances to actual sexual abuse or sexual assault. Under the amendments, the sexual harassment is punished with fine of 300 to 500 conventional units (a c.u. is equal to 20 lei), 140 to 240 hours of community service or imprisonment of up to two years. The domestic violence that results in physical pain, bodily injuries, suicide attempts or death of the victim is punished with community service from 150 hours or two to 15 years in jail. “We hope the inclusion of this term in the law on the combating and prevention of violence will lead to a reduction in the number of cases of domestic violence in Moldova,” said Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga. The modified law includes measures aimed at protecting the victims under protective orders, which will be issued by courts and will be valid for up to three months.