PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Offences against Children (11 September 2017)
Question Asked
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether it is the Government's position that no child can consent to their own abuse.
Asked by:
Sarah Champion (Labour)
Asked by:
Sarah Champion (Labour)
Answer
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.
Answered by:
Dr Phillip Lee (Liberal Democrat)
19 September 2017
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