On May 19 the Women Resource Center NGO organized protest action at the Jurisdiction Court of Nubarashen and Erebuni Administrative Districts to demand a verdict with maximum punishment for the defendant Levon Avagyan, teacher of the Nubarashen bordering school (for children with special needs) charged with sexual harassment committed against students of the same school.

The Women Resource Center says the 18-month term Avagyan faces (imposed due to his confession of guilt and plea for a “fast trial”) is too lenient for crimes he admitted against the youth.

“We want to remind that Armenia has signed and ratified the UN International Convention on Children’s Rights Defense. However, with our indifference towards sexual harassment and violence against our children, as well as with such a mild verdict, we show that our country tolerates pedophilia and sexual violence.”