Offences against Children

(asked on 11th September 2017) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether it is the Government's position that no child can consent to their own abuse.


Answered by
Phillip Lee Portrait
Phillip Lee
This question was answered on 19th September 2017

The abuse and neglect of children is abhorrent. There is a range of criminal offences and robust sanctions that deal with this cruel and serious offending. A child’s alleged consent to any abusive activity should not be a defence against any criminal offence.

A child’s consent to sexual activity is not recognised under criminal law if the child is under the age of 16.

Reticulating Splines