Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Champion Excerpts
Tuesday 4th June 2019

(5 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Paul Maynard Portrait Paul Maynard
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I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend and Peter Wanless from the NSPCC. My hon. Friend rightly makes a number of points that need to be borne in mind. We have to give an element of consideration to individuals who are in a position of responsibility in relation to young people with the degree of vulnerability. There is always a balance to be struck so that we do not criminalise behaviour that is currently legal, and the age of consent remains at 16.

Sarah Champion Portrait Sarah Champion (Rotherham) (Lab)
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People who prey on children often deliberately get themselves into a position of trust, and they know and exploit this legal loophole, as I believe the Minister is aware. Rather than simply carrying out a review, will he do what the previous sports Minister agreed to do, which is to change the law?