Underage Sex
WHAT IS UNDERAGE SEX?
Underage sex is when an individual engages in any form of sexual touching, oral sex, masturbating together, sexual intercourse or sexual penetration and they or the other person involved are under the legal age where the law of the country (where they are at that time) does not permit them to do so.
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY ABOUT WHAT AGE CAN AN INDIVIDUAL HAVE SEX?
This is also referred to as the ‘age of consent’ where an individual can freely engage in sexual activity.
The age of consent where an individual of any gender or sexual orientation can engage in sexual activity in the UK is 16 years of age.
As stated above the sexual activity includes any form of sexual touching, oral sex, masturbating together, sexual penetration, and sexual intercourse.
WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT IF YOUR CHILD HAS UNDERAGE SEX?
Having sex with an individual where you or any other individual involved is under the age of 16 years is consideration sexual assault and it is a criminal offence.
It doesn’t matter whether there was consent or not. The law considers that anyone under the age of 16 years is unable to give consent.
The severity of the punishment of engaging in sexual activity if you are yourself a minor or with a minor will depend upon the ages of the individuals concerned.
WHO CAN YOU REPORT UNDERAGE SEX TO?
You can call the police – You can dial 999 if you or your child is at risk or a crime has been committed. Alternatively if there is no emergency you can dial 101 or file a report online.
LINK TO POLICE WEBSITE TO REPORT A CRIME ONLINE
You can contact Crimestoppers – You can report a crime anonymously to crimestoppers. Their telephone number is 0800 555 111.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR CRIMESTOPPERS.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has had underage sex you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If your child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child has had underage sex.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
You can read our help guide for where you can reach out to get help if your child is a victim –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHERE CAN YOU REACH OUT TO GET HELP IF YOUR CHILD IS A VICTIM
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has had underage sex and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.