Theoretical and Practical Issues of Sexual Crimes Against Children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15294/ijcls.v10i2.22725Keywords:
Chemical Castration, Drug Prevention, Pedophilia, Physical Castration, Polygraph ExaminationAbstract
This study investigates sexual crimes against children with the aim of identifying legislative, psychological, and institutional mechanisms for prevention and response. Sexual violence against minors remains a persistent problem in Ukraine and globally, with high latency and complex causes that demand multidimensional analysis. The research applies a normative legal approach combined with dialectical and general scientific methods (analysis, synthesis, induction, generalization), supported by specialized psychological and forensic techniques. Results highlight the juridical, philosophical, and sociological objectives of legal protection of children, the challenges of applying polygraph examinations to minors, and the controversial role of medical measures such as chemical castration. The study underscores the significance of the Unified Register of Child Sex Offenders as a practical tool for prevention. The article demonstrates that combating sexual crimes against children requires a comprehensive strategy that integrates legal reforms, psychological support, medical interventions, and international best practices. The Ukrainian experience during wartime conditions adds urgency and uniqueness to this study.
References
Alter-Reid, K., M. S. Gibbs, J. R. Lachenmeyer, J. Sigal, and N. A. Massoth. “Sexual Abuse of Children: A Review of the Empirical Findings.” Clinical Psychology Review 6, no. 4 (2022): 249–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-7358(86)90001-2.
Ashraph, S., O. Melnychenko, and O. Stepaniuk. Working with Victims of Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict: A Guide for Psychological Assistance and Emergency Response Professionals in Ukraine. (2022). https://rm.coe.int/ukr-2022-sexual-violence-manual-web-en/1680a97132.
Bennett, M., D. A. Harris, K. Richards, and R. Shields. “‘Any Male Victim?’ The Legacy of Conflating Paedophilia and Homosexuality and the Differential Seriousness of Sexual Abuse by Victim Gender.” Psychiatry, Psychology and Law 32, no. 1 (2024): 106–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2023.2280519.
Chmut, S. V., and P. V. Khriapinskyi. Criminal Liability for Sexual Relations with a Person Who Has Not Reached Sexual Maturity. Zaporizhzhia: KSK-Alliance, 2021.
Denysovskyi, M. D., and I. A. Fedchak. The Nature and Prevention of Crimes Against Sexual Freedom and Sexual Integrity of Minors and Minors. Lviv; Ternopil: LvDUVS, 2018.
Drążkowski, D. “Determinants of Attitude toward Pedophilia Crimes in the Catholic Church: A Comparative Study of Catholics and Atheists in Poland.” Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 12 (2025): 515. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04652-y.
Gerke, J., T. Gfrörer, F. K. Mattstedt, U. Hoffmann, J. M. Fegert, and M. Rassenhofer. “Long-Term Mental Health Consequences of Female- versus Male-Perpetrated Child Sexual Abuse.” Child Abuse & Neglect 143 (2023): 106240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106240.
Gerke, J., K. Lipke, J. M. Fegert, and M. Rassenhofer. “Mothers as Perpetrators and Bystanders of Child Sexual Abuse.” Child Abuse & Neglect 117 (2021): 105068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105068.
Huikuri, S. “Users of Online Child Sexual Abuse Material.” Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology 38 (2023): 904–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-023-09611-4.
Ingram, M., E. Thorne, E. J. Letourneau, and P. S. Nestadt. “Self-Esteem, Perceived Social Support, and Suicidal Ideation and Behavior among Adults Attracted to Children.” Journal of Death and Dying 91, no. 3 (2023): 1214–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228221150304.
Kandi, Z. R., F. E. Azar, F. K. Farahani, N. Azadi, and M. Mansourian. “Significance of Knowledge in Children on Self-Protection of Sexual Abuse: A Systematic Review.” Iranian Journal of Public Health 51, no. 8 (2022): 1755–65. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v51i8.10257.
Katz, C., and N. Field. “Unspoken: Child-Perpetrator Dynamic in the Context of Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence 37, no. 5–6 (2020): NP3585–NP3604. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520943723.
Knack, N., B. Winder, L. Murphy, and J. P. Fedoroff. “Primary and Secondary Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse.” International Review of Psychiatry 31, no. 2 (2019): 181–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2018.1541872.
Kuhar, M., and D. Zaviršek. “Prevalence and Characteristics of Child Sexual Abuse in Slovenia.” Journal of Criminal Investigation and Criminology 74, no. 1 (2023): 51–62.
Lievesley, R., C. A. Harper, and E. Woodward. “Toward a Holistic Approach to Treatment and Support for People with Attractions to Children.” Current Sexual Health Reports 17 (2025): 7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-025-00403-x.
Loona, M. I., A. Kamal, S. Zahid, and A. Nawaz. “The Dilemma of Child Sexual Abuse: A Scoping Review.” Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology 30, no. 18 (2023): 448–54. https://doi.org/10.53555/jptcp.v30i18.3100.
Lubenets, I. “The Problem of Sexual Violence against Children in the Digital Environment.” Copernicus Political and Legal Studies 4, no. 4 (2022): 44–54. https://doi.org/10.15804/CPLS.20224.05.
Melnyk, M. I., and M. I. Khavroniuk, eds. Scientific and Practical Commentary on the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Kyiv: Dakor, 2018.
Motliakh, O. I. Polygraphology. Kyiv: Education of Ukraine, 2022.
Niveau, G. “Sensory Information in Children's Statements of Sexual Abuse.” Forensic Sciences Research 6, no. 2 (2021): 97–102. https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2020.1814000.
Papalia, N., E. Mann, and J. R. P. Ogloff. “Child Sexual Abuse and Risk of Revictimization: Impact of Child Demographics, Sexual Abuse Characteristics, and Psychiatric Disorders.” Child Maltreatment 26, no. 1 (2020): 74–86. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559520932665.
Pietrangelo, A. “Chemical Castration: What It Is, How It Works and to Whom It Is Used?” (2021). https://www.healthline.com/health/chemically-castrating.
Popov, H. V. “Peculiarities of the Pre-Trial Investigation of Crimes against the Sexual Integrity of Children Committed in Conditions of Armed Conflict.” Scientific Bulletin of the Uzhhorod National University 75, no. 2 (2023): 125–28. https://doi.org/10.24144/2307-3322.2022.75.2.20.
Rahnavardi, M., S. Shahali, and A. Montazeri. “Health Care Providers’ Responses to Sexually Abused Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.” BMC Health Services Research 22 (2022): 441. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07814-9.
Romantsova, S. V. “Forms of Manifestations of Sexual Violence against Children.” Scientific Bulletin of the Uzhhorod National University 2, no. 55 (2019): 102–6.
Roos, M. S., C. Oliver, J. R. Carré, and D. N. Jones. “Mimicry Deception Theory Applied to Sexual Abuse of Children.” Child Abuse & Neglect 143 (2023): 106339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106339.
Ruth, G. M., and M. Benito. “Child Abuse Due to Domestic Violence: Integral Forensic Assessment.” Spanish Journal of Legal Medicine 46, no. 1 (2020): 28–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.remle.2019.08.002.
Sharma, A. “Men Survivors’ Perspectives on Impact of Child Sexual Abuse.” Children and Youth Services Review 137 (2022): 106485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106485.
Shumak, Y. “The Single Registry of Pedophiles: Will It Help Protect Children from Perverts.” (2020). https://dyvys.info/2020/01/14/yedynyj-reyestr-pedofiliv-chy-dopomozhe-tse-vberegty-ditej-vid-zbochentsiv.
Shyian, O. “How to Protect Children from Online Sexual Abuse.” (2024). https://rivne.cx.ua/iak-zahistiti-ditei-vid-seksyalnogo-nasilstva-v-interneti-korisni-posilannia/.
Todt, M., T. Brüning, and A. S. Debertin. “Sexual Abuse of Children and Adolescents: Handling of Suspected Cases.” Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde 167, no. 10 (2019): 868–80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00112-019-0757-6.
Tsur, N., C. Katz, and B. Klebanov. “Peritraumatic Pain in Child Sexual Abuse: Children's Descriptions of Pain as Conveyed in Their Testimonies Following Child Sexual Abuse.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence 37, no. 7–8 (2020): NP4393–NP4414. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520958653.
Tuora-Schwierskott, E., and I. M. Bień-Węgłowska. “The Obligation to Report Cases of Child Sexual Abuse – Comparison of Legal Regulations in Poland, Austria, and the Federal Republic of Germany.” Review of European and Comparative Law 54, no. 3 (2023): 221–38. https://doi.org/10.31743/recl.16233.
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. International Protocol for Documenting and Investigating Sexual Abuse: Sexual Abuse against Children. (2014). https://www.refworld.org/reference/research/gbrfco/2014/en/101109.
Vasylevych, V. V., and Yu. O. Levchenko. “Sexual Violence against a Child: Latency and Ways to Overcome.” Scientific Bulletin of the Uzhhorod National University 79, no. 2 (2023): 149–54. https://doi.org/10.24144/2307-3322.2023.79.2.22.
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Law of Ukraine No. 409-IX: On the Introduction of Amendments to Some Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding the Introduction of a Unified Register of Persons Convicted of Crimes against the Sexual Freedom and Sexual Integrity of a Minor, and Strengthening of Responsibility for Crimes Committed against the Sexual Freedom and Sexual Integrity of a Minor. (2019). https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/409-20.
Downloads
Published
Article ID
22725Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Oleksandr I. Motliakh, Yevhen Korzh, Nadiia Stasiuk , Leonid Shcherbyna, Yana Lutsenko (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
