Czech reforms on sexual abuse of minors

In July 2026 the Czech Supreme Court applied the new criminal‑code definition of “sexual attack” for the first time, confirming that non‑penetrative abuse of a nine‑year‑old qualifies as a sexual attack rather than rape. The decision came shortly after the amendment entered force on 1 January 2025. At the same time, Justice Minister Stanislav Tejc announced a proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility for the most serious violent crimes from 15 to 13 years, sparking debate among prosecutors, the children’s ombudsman and parliamentarians.

A few days later a separate case involving a girl who began a sexual relationship with a 78‑year‑old man at age 13 was reviewed by the European Court of Human Rights. The Court dismissed the complaint as inadmissible but, after the victim turned 18, her attorney indicated a desire to continue proceedings. The outcome highlights ongoing challenges in prosecuting sexual abuse of minors in the Czech Republic and the limited recourse through international human‑rights mechanisms.