Thursday, June 11, 2020

Sexual Street Harassment in Costa Rica to Be Punished

Deputies have approved strict punishments for street harassment. Someone who shows their genitals in public with sexual intention or follows another person for sexual purposes could be sent to jail for up to a year and a half.

Inthe first date, there were 49 votes in favor and none against the draft Law Against Street Sexual Harassment. It puts the most severe forms of sexual harassment in the Penal Code as crimes.

Photographing or recording people with sexual connotation without their consent in public places or in paid transportation services could be punished with ayear and a half in prison. This could become two years in prison if the material is shown or transmitted to another person. Penalties could also be increased by a third if it involves a repeat offender or if the victim is a minor, senior, or person with a disability.

Conducts such as obscene words or acts, disrespectful propositions, exhibitionism, words, noises, whistles, gasps, moans and gestures with sexual connotation are to be sanctione with a fine of 15 to 30 days.

In addition to imprisonment of fines, accessory penalties can be applied such as addiction treatment and specialized programs for the control of violent behavior.

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