People found guilty of crimes involving the abuse and exploitation of children will face longer jail terms when amendments to the law kick in.
Justice Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici said the changes to the Criminal Code were aimed at sending a strong message that children were not to be touched.
The new provisions also deal with other aspects of the law and address lacunas highlighted by the law courts in recent years. These include the issue of multiple deaths or injuries in cases of involuntary homicide, the sale of toy weapons and the refusal to take a breathalyser test.
Speaking on provisions providing for the protection of children, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that, with the widespread use of the internet, vulnerable people, such as children, required extra efforts to protect them from abuse.
New provisions in the law target the participation of children in sexual acts with other people and the enticement of children to take part in, or be present for, sexual activities and child porn. The prison term for those guilty of such offences has been set at between 18 months and five years.
There is also a better and more comprehensive definition of indecent material involving underage children.
Maltese citizens or people living in Malta who produce, allow the production of or are involved in the distribution of indecent material involving children could face between 12 months and five years in jail.
The punishment for the possession of child porn is being increased to between two and nine years' imprisonment while the possession of material containing scenes of underage children participating in bestiality, brutality, sadistic acts and torture will carry a prison term of between six months and four years.
The enticement of children to prostitution through the internet will be punishable with a jail term of between 12 months and two years.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the new provisions would include the legal definition of vulnerable persons: anyone under the age of 15 and those who suffered from some sort of physical or mental disease.
The court will be able to order convicted people whose job involves caring for or being around children not to carry out such a role any longer. The order would also be included in the person's criminal record.
On the paedophile register, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the draft law had been finalised and would now pass to another stage of internal discussion.
A serious offenders' list will be introduced under a separate law and it will include the paedophile register. The list will aim to protect people from perpetrators and keep track of those who were convicted of serious crimes, including drug traffickers.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the government was also proposing amendments to traffic-related crimes, including that of multiple deaths, such as the case involving five youths from Qrendi a few years ago. It is being proposed that the punishment would increase by three to four grades.
Another amendment would impose a ban on the sale of toy weapons and ammunition. However, there would not be a ban on the importation, he said.
The government has also made it a crime to refuse a breathalyser test with those turning it down being deemed guilty of driving under the influence of drink. The fine has been raised to €1,200 from €466.
Moreover, jumping the red lights will shift from being a contravention to a crime and will be listed in a person's criminal record. The fine was also increased to €250 from €58. People caught driving while speaking on the mobile phone will have to pay €100 rather than €58.
Even motorists driving slowly on the fast lane may be booked and face a fine of €100.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici said victims of a crime who have filed a complaint would not need to attend each and every sitting while owners of pets who were a nuisance to neighbours could face a hefty fine.