The Ombudsman with recommendations for stricter control over access to children
Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva has issued official recommendations to the Ministers of Education and the Interior following revelations about a case involving a man, convicted three times for molestation, who was working as a security guard at a school in the capital.
The problem stems from legal rehabilitation, which allows individuals with a criminal record to present a "clean" criminal record certificate.
What are the risks?
- External companies hire staff without thorough vetting.
- Employers limit themselves only to the criminal record certificate.
- Lack of an automated link between verification systems.
Proposed solutions:
Delcheva insists on a change in the regulatory framework that would mandate every employer working with children to consult the National Information System for Prevention and Protection against Pedophilia. The measures should cover not only schools but also:
- Private schools and after-school centers
- Children's clubs
- Entertainers and babysitters
The Ombudsman expects a response from the Ministry of the Interior regarding the effectiveness of the registry and employer access to it, emphasizing that the state is obliged to guarantee the safety of the most vulnerable.