For the first half of the current year, 289 individuals have been convicted for sexual contact or cohabitation on a family basis with minors. This is according to official data provided by prosecutor Kalina Serafimova from the Supreme Cassation Prosecutor's Office. The information was shared during a round table dedicated to the prevention of child/early marriages and cases of early childbirth. The forum was organized by the State Agency for Child Protection.
Against the backdrop of these alarming trends, those gathered in the discussion hall analyzed the causes of these phenomena and sought effective solutions.
Examining the specific cases, Prosecutor Serafimova presented detailed statistics on pre-trial proceedings and convictions. For the first half of 2025, newly established pre-trial proceedings under Art. 151 of the Penal Code (PC), which deals with sexual contact with a person under the age of 14, are 49. Proceedings under Art. 191 of the PC, referring to an adult who, without marriage, cohabits with a person of the female gender who has not reached the age of 14 or 16, are 301. Six pre-trial proceedings were initiated under Art. 192 of the PC, which provides for criminal liability for a parent or other relative who receives a ransom to allow their daughter or relative, who has not reached the age of 16, to cohabit with another person.
From the data, it becomes clear that there are also convicted persons with final sentences. Under Art. 151 of the PC, the convicted are 25, under Art. 191 – 262, and under Art. 192 – two. One person was acquitted.
Comparing these numbers with the data from the previous reporting period, a certain dynamic is noticeable. Throughout the past year, under Art. 151, the convicted, with a final sentence, were 54, under Art. 191 – 569, and under Art. 192 – two.
The Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Borislav Gutsanov, opened the forum, emphasizing the topicality of the topic. He pointed out that in the last 10 years in the country, 33,159 children have been born to children. His words underscored the need for urgent and coordinated measures to address the problem. Those present carefully listened to the words of the minister, realizing the gravity of the situation.