the age of consent.

[lord molly]

ok, now i'm rely confused.


is the age of concent 13, or 16. because people seem to think it is both and its rely confusing me now.



cheers

[x sparkle x]

its 16

[Ethel]

The age of consent for sex in the UK is 16.

http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/0-9/ 4health/sex/sar_aoc.html

This includes any touching in a sexual context, oral sex or intimate contact.

[lord molly]

kool, coz on a previous question people were saying 13, 16 17 and sometimes 12 etc

[janeo]

It's different in some countries outside the UK

[JudgeJ]

In the UK the �age of consent� is 16. You can be charged with having unlawful sexual intercourse with someone under this age. This is so even if the person with whom you had the intercourse gave their consent. (That is, you did not rape them). If they did not give their consent, of course, you would be charged with rape.

The confusion you have concerning the age of 13 is that children under this age are, legally, not able to give their consent at all. So if you had intercourse with somebody aged under 13, EVEN IF THEY GAVE THEIR CONSENT, you would be charged with rape. This is because any consent they give is invalid in the eyes of the law.

So be careful!

[IggyB]

you don't say what country you're in - if it is indeed the UK then please see section 9 of the sexual offences act 2003
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2003/20030042. htm
this will hopefully explain why the ages of 13 and 16 are mentioned by some when discussing the age of consent... basically if someone over 18 sleeps with a person aged 13 - 15 then they have commited an offence UNLESS they reasonably believed that the person was over 16, however if a person over 18 sleeps with a child under 13 then there is no factor that would make this no a criminal offence... hope that helps, prob best to read the relevant sections of the act as i'm not sure i explained that very well

[lord molly]

thanks guys, all sorted now.



cheers

[woodchopper]

x sparkle x, Ethel & Judge J are all incorrect stating that the age of consent is 16 in the UK -
It is in Great Britain (England,Scotland& Wales) but in Northern Ireland ( we are part of the UK last time I looked) the age of consent is 17yrs.

[filthiestfis]

I dont think that teacher should have got 5 years if the 15 yar old was consenting. That seems like an excessive time to me, given how soft the courts are on major crimes like raping, assault, manslaughter etc

[JudgeJ]

Sorry, woodchopper. I was not implying that NI was no longer part of the UK. I didn't realise the law was different there. Thanks for the info.

[woodchopper]

Never worry Judge - common enuff error.