Historical Experience of Criminal Law Protection of Children's Interests in Cases of Non-Fulfillment of Alimony Obligations

Legal science and practice are currently in search of effective measures of recovering alimony payments. Prevention of the malicious evasion of alimony payments requires a complex approach, encompassing both strict measures of criminal liability for debtors and an active control of state agencies over the observance of alimony payments. Effective legislation, support of social services, and public education could considerably reduce the cases of the non-payment of alimony. At the same time, the Soviet experience of criminal law protection of the interests of children in cases of non-fulfillment of alimony obligations could help develop more effective mechanisms of parental responsibility and social support which, undoubtedly, will improve the protection of children’s rights in modern conditions. The author analyzes different ways of avoiding alimony payments thus revealing the key aspects of this problem in light of the practice of law enforcement. A detailed study of such experience may be instrumental in improving legislation as it exposes the drawbacks in the current legal system and makes it possible to work out more effective measures of coercion and provision for the fulfillment of alimony obligations. The retrospective research of criminal law protection of children’s interests in the context of non-fulfillment of alimony payments highlights the necessity of a complex approach, which would include both stricter sanctions for debtors and the introduction of preventive measures aimed at ensuring stable financial maintenance for children, thus contributing to a more effective observance of alimony obligations and protection of the rights of minors.