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Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the… Article 3

Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the… Article 3

Offences concerning sexual abuse

Article 3

1.   Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the intentional conduct referred to in paragraphs 2 to 6 is punishable. 2.   Causing, for sexual purposes, a child who has not reached the age of sexual consent to witness sexual activities, even without having to participate, shall be punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 1 year. 3.   Causing, for sexual purposes, a child who has not reached the age of sexual consent to witness sexual abuse, even without having to participate, shall be punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 2 years. 4.   Engaging in sexual activities with a child who has not reached the age of sexual consent shall be punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 5 years. 5.   Engaging in sexual activities with a child, where: (i) abuse is made of a recognised position of trust, authority or influence over the child, shall be punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 8 years if the child has not reached the age of sexual consent, and of at least 3 years of imprisonment, if the child is over that age; or (ii) abuse is made of a particularly vulnerable situation of the child, in particular because of a mental or physical disability or a situation of dependence, shall be punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 8 years if the child has not reached the age of sexual consent, and of at least 3 years of imprisonment if the child is over that age; or (iii) use is made of coercion, force or threats shall be punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years if the child has not reached the age of sexual consent, and of at least 5 years of imprisonment if the child is over that age. 6.   Coercing, forcing or threatening a child into sexual activities with a third party shall be punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years if the child has not reached the age of sexual consent, and of at least 5 years of imprisonment if the child is over that age.

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Other provisions in Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the…

Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗ · Data as of 2026-07-04

CitationArticle 3 of Directive 2011/93/EU of the European Parliament and of the… (LawPlayer, data as of 2026-07-04)

© European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu, 1998-2026. Reuse authorised under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU, provided the source is acknowledged.

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