OREANDA-NEWS. March 16, 2009. Mr Medvedev said that combating crimes against children requires coordinated work by all government bodies, and a joint effort from the whole of society. The President said that systemic measures are needed to resolve this problem, including changes to the laws to increase penalties for crimes committed against children. 

Mr Medvedev said he hopes that the State Duma (lower house of parliament) will soon pass a draft law he has proposed on amending the Federal Law ‘On Basic Guarantees of Children’s Rights in the Russian Federation’. The draft law brings together dozens of initiatives for preventing crimes against children, the President said.