MOSCOW, March 7 (RAPSI) – Lawmaker Oleg Nilov (A Just Russia) has sent a bill to the State Duma on administrative penalties for the sexual harassment of women, RIA Novosti was told in the lower house's secretariat on Friday.

A new article is to be added to the Administrative Offences Code to introduce fines of 30,000 to 50,000 rubles ($830-$1,385) or a penalty of 80 to 120 hours of community service for sexual harassment. Foreigners and stateless persons can also be deported from the country.

Under the bill, sexual harassment is defined as “unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature, the coercion of sexual interaction, unwelcome attention, open or disguised sexual advances, pressure for sexual favors, and any other verbal or physical actions of a sexual nature taken without a woman's consent.”

Repeat offenders are to be fined between 80,000 and 100,000 rubles ($2,215-$2,770) or obliged to do 120 to 200 hours of community service.

Nilov believes that this document “will help resolve a vital issue and is not a declaration but a practical and effective step towards reducing crimes against women and protecting their rights, honor, dignity, health and life.”