India strengthens child sex abuse and porn laws

People convicted of child sexual abuse in India could now face the death penalty.

The Indian government has toughened laws governing both child sexual abuse and child pornography.

Under a 2012 law, the maximum penalty for sexual abuse against children was 20 years in prison. It is now capital punishment.

Child pornography is now defined for the first time in Indian law and carries a punishment of up to three years in prison.

New amendments also include outlawing the use of hormones or chemical therapies to hasten a child’s sexual maturity.

The gender-neutral law describes a child as anyone under the age of 18.