Underage Sex

[Guest]

I have attended a Safeguarding course only appro 4 months ago and was horrified to be told that there is no age of consent for sex, I argued the case but the trainer insisted that if you had a 18 year old having sex with a 14year old and the 14 year old consented and that social services etc were happy with that, that they can carry on without any repurcussions. My understanding was that any person having sex with a minor under the age of 16 years faces prosecution whatever the case. This has also caused confusion with some of my older sons friends who were told at school that it was okay to have sex at the age of 14 years without any worry but the law when you look it up states otherwise. Was the same training sector training the schools. My training was given by Catch 22.

 

Has anyone else been told the same as me by a trainer?

 

This needs to be straightened.

[Steve]

I think your trainer is misinformed Angela. The age of consent is 16 in the UK. There's plenty of references to back this up - here's one from the BBC.

[Susan]

Maybe this is why Rotherham seems to be in such a mess!

[Guest ChunkyMan]

Was just about to post the same reply....It's criminal that this is information given out at a Safeguarding course!!!

[Rea]

Then why all the bother about Megan Stammers?

Beggers belief what some trainers tell us.

[Stargrower]

Anglela13, please, please make sure you follow this up. It is absolutely outrageous that you were given this information and somehow even worse that children are being told the same.

[eyfs1966]

You must have a designated safeguarding officer in your Early Years Team at the LEA. I would give them a call and ask for clarification, and if the trainer is wrong, then ask the LEA to deal with it.

[HoneyPancakes]

I'm not sure it's as cut and dried as either of these views. I remember being told some exceptions. Will need to do some research.

 

http://www.fpa.org.uk/media/uploads/professionals/factsheets-non-printing/law-on-sex-factsheet-january-2011.pdf

 

'The Sexual Offences Act 2003 introduced a new series of law to protect children under 16 from sexual abuse. However, the law is not intended to prosecute mutually agreed teenage sexual activity between two young people of similar unless it involves abuse or exploitation.'

 

Honey

[Steve]

That's not quite the same thing Honey. The age of consent is still 16, even if the law decides not to prosecute in certain circumstances. And as for social services deciding they're quite happy for it to carry on without any repercussions...

[Guest TinklePrincess]

Maybe this is why Rotherham seems to be in such a mess!

 

Haha, Susan, are you from Rotherham?

[Susan]

No, Im not!

[Guest TinklePrincess]

Haha, I'm from around that area and it made me seriously laugh out loud!!

[garrison]

Haha, I'm from around that area and it made me seriously laugh out loud!!

 

Me too - I am local to there also