Luanda: The First Lady of Angola, Ana Dias Louren§o, called on Tuesday for the approval of laws that would increase penalties for crimes of violence against children in order to deter perpetrators. Speaking at the opening of the workshop on 'Procedural Processing in Crimes of Sexual Violence against Children', the First Lady said that the current penalties do not, to a certain extent, deter perpetrators.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Ana Louren§o emphasized that with a more severe penal framework and the effective application of the law, it would play its true role in deterring such crimes. She stressed the importance of severely punishing such conduct and ensuring the preventive aspect of the crime is maintained, highlighting the devastating impact of violence, particularly sexual violence, on children and their families.
Ana Louren§o further discussed the need to abolish the feeling of impunity within the legal framework and advocated for the predominance of severe precautionary measures during judicial investigations, especially when there is substantial evidence of the crime. This approach, she explained, is crucial in protecting victims and preventing further risks to their integrity and life.
The First Lady also urged legal institutions to engage in social training focused on child protection in collaboration with organizations like the National Institute for Children (INAC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). She stated that this initiative aims to draw more significant attention to cases involving children and promote firm procedural solidarity to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
The workshop, organized by the Superior Council of the Judiciary in partnership with UNICEF, aims to enhance the technical skills of justice system professionals. It will delve into the main challenges related to the investigation, hearing, and judicial treatment of minors who have fallen victim to sexual violence.
