"They should circulate a call around the country: Let's collect money for, pardon me, castrating paedophiles – and people will collect money," Mr Astakhov was quoted as saying. "The fact that we still have some gaps is what allows those individuals to still exist." Russia passed a law in 2012 that allows for court-ordered chemical castration of convicted paedophiles if it is recommended by a panel of psychiatrists and doctors. Voluntary castration for sex offenders is also available.