Estonian prosecutors doubt ID photos of sex offenders in background checks would make children safer

Estonia's Prosecutor's Office backs tighter background checks for people who work with children, but doubts that showing ID photos of convicted sex offenders in those checks would genuinely make children safer. The Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs has sent amendments to the Child Protection Act and the Criminal Records Database Act out for review, with the aim of making checks easier and strengthening protection against child sexual abuse.

What the amendments propose

At present, employers must check their staff manually at least once a year. Under the proposal, they could run automatic checks every month. The Social Insurance Board (SKA) would also be notified when an employee is barred from working with children.

The ministry additionally wants check results to display the ID photos of people barred from working with children because of sexual offenses involving physical contact with minors.

Prosecutors' objections

The ministry argues the photos could help catch people who use false personal identification codes to avoid checks. Prosecutors regard that as unlikely. They also point out that the ministry's own explanatory memo concedes public sex offender registries have not been shown to reduce reoffending.

The office says it supports the overall goal of the proposal, but stresses that preventing child sexual abuse requires greater investment in mental health services, counseling, treatment and specialist training. In its view, giving offenders the treatment and therapy they need is key to cutting repeat offenses. It says Estonia lacks sufficient treatment options and social programs both for offenders in prison and for convicted offenders living in the community.

Prosecutors accept that the changes would not make the current situation worse, but question how much extra protection they would give children.

Help for children

SKA's child helpline, available in Estonian, Russian and English, operates around the clock at 116 111. Children, parents, teachers and other members of the community can call for advice and support, or to report a child in danger. In an emergency, call 112.