![]() The average age of consent worldwide is 16 years old.These data points highlight some of the more interesting age of consent laws: Age of Consent Equality for Same-Sex Relationships.Countries Where Sex Outside of Marriage Is Illegal.Highest and Lowest Ages of Consent Worldwide.These data points highlight some of the more interesting age of consent laws:.This means that children this age can never consent and so sex is always a crime. Sex with a child aged 12 or under is called ‘statutory rape’. However, this cannot be guaranteed and young people aged under 16 who have sex should get advice. The law is there primarily to protect them from abuse, so if sex is consensual, the young people may not get into trouble. Whether the law is used against children aged 13 to 15 who have sex with another 13-15 year old will depend on the circumstances and on consent. Sexual activity by and with children aged 15 and under is illegal. Some young people and adults will define themselves as asexual and this identity, too, should be understood, respected and validated. It is important that LGBT+ young people feel free to grow into their sexuality and gender identity at a pace and in a way that suits them no one has to have sex to ‘prove’ they are LGBT+. It is also important to say that just because sex is legal at the age of 16, it doesn’t mean 16 and 17 year olds (or indeed adults) have to have sex. ![]() The bigger the age gap, the more difficult it is to achieve this. It is therefore important that an adult (anyone aged 18 or over) who wants to have sex with a 16 or 17 year old must take responsibility for ensuring that the 16/17 year old is fully and freely consenting to have sex. The wider the gap in age, the more likely it is that the young person is disempowered and susceptible to persuasion, intimidation, abuse or grooming. They may be viewed by the law as grooming, for which there are specific offences. Sexual relationships between 16/17 year old children and adults may not be based on equality of knowledge and power. It is also recognised that 16 and 17 year olds do not have the range of life experience or the same options available as adults.
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