Anger at plan to relax rules on teen sex

Published on Saturday 10 May 2008 11:19

CONTROVERSIAL plans to "decriminalise" sex between 13 to 15-year-olds have been criticised by both parents and children's groups, it was reported today.

The recommendation, which critics claim could condone underage sex, was made in the Scottish Law Commission's draft legislation on rape and other sexual offences.

But scores of parents, churches and children's groups warned the move would send the wrong message and lead to increases in teen pregnancies, exploitation and sexually transmitted diseases.

However, organisations including Victim Support Scotland, Barnardo's and the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) support the proposals.

Under current law, the age of consent is 16 but if two 15-year-olds have sex, the boy, but not the girl, could be prosecuted in a criminal court.

The proposals are that it would be statutory rape to have sex with a boy or girl under 13 and concerns about consenting sex between vulnerable 13 to 15-year-olds could be referred to the SCRA.