Jarosław Ś. was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for failing to report a child‑sexual‑molestation incident and helping the offender evade prosecution in Warsaw, Poland, on June 12, 2022.
Prosecution Charges
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Ostrołęka accused Jarosław Ś. in July 2023 of two crimes: not reporting a pedophilia offence and obstructing the initiation and conduct of criminal proceedings pursuant to Article 200 §1 of the Polish Penal Code.
Court Findings
The Warsaw Śródmieście District Court found Ś. guilty of sending an unreliable notification about a sexual offence involving a minor under 15 years old, specifically touching the boy’s genitals, taking the genitals into his mouth, and holding them for about ten minutes (Article 240 §1). It also found him guilty of aiding the offender in concealing the crime.
Sentencing and Restrictions
For these offences, the court imposed a total of 1 year 8 months imprisonment and an eight‑year prohibition on holding supervisory or caretaker positions involving minors. The court also ordered costs of the proceedings to be borne by the defendant.
Legal Basis for Non‑Reporting
Article 240 of the Penal Code makes it a crime to fail to notify such offences, ranging from murder to terrorism, and specifies that those with reliable information must promptly alert police or prosecutors, with imprisonment up to three years for non‑notification.
Public Responsibility
The article stresses that the duty to report is vital to protect victims, especially minors who cannot safeguard their own safety, and urges adults to act responsibly and promptly.
