Paulsgirl
Posts: 249
Joined: 2/15/2008 Status: offline
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Taken from: http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/A/adultat14/consent/aoc_debate.shtml the law as it stands UK The age of consent in the UK is currently 16. So, 17-year-old Ben would be breaking the law if he had sex with 15-year-old Siobhan, even with her consent. Similarly, gay couple Jay, 16, and Mark, 14, are breaking the law as Mark is under age. When your hormones are raging, knowing what the age of consent is may not seem like a top priority. But to stay on the right side of the law, it's something that should be kept in mind. the sexual offences bill Since the 2003 Sexual Offences Bill became law, all sexual acts – not just penetrative sex – became a criminal offence if at least one of the people involved, male or female, is under 16. One of the main concerns of the policymakers was protecting young people from abuse by people older than themselves. Whilst this is good in theory, some people believe it complicates the position with regard to consent even more. In extreme cases, it could even have the effect of criminalizing people under 16 for consensual sexual acts with other people of the same age. The Bill has reawakened the debate about the age of consent in this country. Rather than tightening the law, should we in fact have loosened it? the debate Supporters of lowering the age of consent argue that teenagers are already having sexual experiences long before the legal age of consent and the law needs to recognise this to be able to give them proper advice and support to prevent diseases, unwanted pregnancies and abuse. If 14-year-olds are not legally allowed to have sex, it is very difficult to discuss it with them at school, for example. According to the organisations such as the International Child and Youth Care Network and campaigners such as Peter Tatchell, writing in the Guardian newspaper, "an age of consent of 16 criminalises more than half the teenage population. This is an odd way of protecting them. Consent at 14, for both gay and straight relationships, would be fairer and more realistic." For the ‘Age of Consent Map’ around the World see: http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/A/adultat14/consent/aoc_map.shtml
< Message edited by Paulsgirl -- 2/21/2008 12:46:52 PM >
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Formerly Prinsexx ~There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.~ Anais Nin
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