Number of sexual crimes against children increased in Armenia

The number of sexual crimes has increased in Armenia. This is evidenced by the  results of the survey “2015-2016, Crimes against Sexual Immunity and Sexual Freedom and Peculiarities of Their Proceedings”. The investigation was carried out jointly with the RA Investigative Committee and the “Sexual Violence Crisis Center” NGO.

The majority of the victims are children aged 14-16.

David Tumasyan, Head of the Legal Support and Statistics Department of the RA Investigative Committee, presents the results of the survey, mentioning that in the course of 2015-2016, 288 criminal cases filed under Articles 138-142 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia have been examined, of which 131 criminal cases , In 2015, and 157 in 2016. That is, the number of investigated criminal cases in 2016 has increased by 26 compared to 2015.

Presenting statistical data, the representative of the Investigative Committee notes that in 2015, the number of victims of sexual abuse was 142, of which 11 were male. In 2016, 162 were sexually assaulted, of which 11 were male.

Tatevik Aghabekyan, head of the programs of “Sexual Violence Crisis Center” notes that sexual violence is a serious problem not only in Armenia, but also in the world, and unfortunately many times the figures do not represente the real situation. According to the World Health Organization, every third woman is subjected to violence during her lifetime, and every fourth woman is subjected to sexual violence by her partner.

Full text in Armenian