Drastic solution proposed

Mandatory chemical castration for convicted paedophiles

Mandatory chemical castration for convicted paedophiles
Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has proposed that mandatory chemical castration be implemented for convicted paedophiles in Poland.

This recommendation is a direct response to an outrageous case of a 45-year old father imprisoning and repeatedly raping his own daughter over a period of five years. He has also fathered two children with her and forced her to give the children away for adoption. He has been labelled "the Polish Fritzl" in reference to a similarly shocking crime that was discovered in Austria a few months ago.

The recommendation for chemical castration has overwhelming support in Poland, but it does raise some ethical questions.

In the meantime, the work on this law has progressed significantly and the bill is expected to be passed by Polish Parliament within the next couple of months.

Chemical castration in other countries
Poland is not the first country in the world to introduce chemical castration as a form of punishment and preventionn for sex-related crimes. Similar laws exist in a few other countries and states.

In Europe, Denmark and Sweden offer voluntary chemical castration. Spain has recently proposed laws to introduce chemical castration, possibly in mandatory format.

In Italy similar laws were proposed in 2005 after a series of rape offences on minors. These suggestions then provoked a debate on ethical aspects of such a solution. No laws have been passed yet.

Canada also offers chemical castration as a voluntary option.

In the US, seven states have some forms of chemical castration: Florida, California, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Iowa and Montana.

In California court may order chemical castration if the victim is 13 years of age or under, and it's mandatory for all repeat paedophile offenders.

In Florida and Iowa chemical castration is available as a form of punishment for all sex-related offences. Similar laws have recently been proposed in Louisiana.

Related articles:
The Independent: Polish Prime Minister wants Poland to have the strictest possible legislation against criminals who rape children

Should Australia consider mandatory chemical castration for paedophiles and rape offenders? >