Bill updating law on child abuse, pornography approved

A bill updating Greece’s laws against child pornography and sexual abuse that will include offenses such as grooming via social media was approved on Wednesday by five of the parliamentary parties.

New Democracy, PASOK, SYRIZA, Independent Greeks and Democratic Left (DIMAR) MPs approved the draft law during an “in principle” vote in Parliament. The bill also seeks to make it an offense to expose abused children to a wider audience via the Internet, something that was not covered by Greek law until now.

The would-be law also includes greater protection for the victims of such crimes, including the issuing of residence permits. Golden Dawn and the Communist Party voted “present” during Wednesday’s parliamentary ballot.