Obscene laws on minors, which take precedence over the penal code, contain age of consent laws for some prefectures. In some, sexual activity with people under the age of 15 is illegal, but in others, the age is 18. In these prefectures, sexual activity with a person under the age of consent can carry a prison sentence of up to five years. Although rare, in some prefectures, even hugging or holding hands with minors can be illegal. The age of consent in mainland China is 14. China`s two special administrative regions, Macau and Hong Kong, have their own local age of consent laws. As in China, the age of consent in Macau is 14. The age of consent in Hong Kong is 16. A group of organizations and individuals looked at the age of consent. The following is an abridged version of the document submitted to the government and approved by the signatories listed below. The full document is available at www.winad.org/resources, www.networkngott.com and www.silverliningtt.com.
The age of consent in Mexico City (former Federal District, DF) is 12, one of the lowest in the world, and the entire penal code in the Mexican capital is similar to that of the federal law on the subject, although stricter in some respects – heavier penalties and broader definitions. In Guatemala, the age of consent is 18, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender. The Law against Sexual Abuse, Exploitation and Trafficking in Human Beings was adopted in February 2009 and provides for prison sentences ranging from 13 to 24 years for sexual relations with minors, depending on the age of the minor. [32] The age of consent in the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius) is 16 years, as set out in section 251 of the Criminal Code, which states: The age of consent in Canada is 16. In August 2018, all U.S. states set the age of consent at 16, 17 or 18. (2) In the case of an indictment for an offence under this section, it is irrelevant whether the sexual intercourse took place with the consent of the girl concerned. Clipperton Island is an uninhabited coral atoll of nine square kilometers (about 3.5 square miles) in the eastern Pacific Ocean, privately owned by the state under the direct supervision of the French government, administered by the Minister of Overseas France. French laws apply, where applicable. [22] See Age of consent in Europe#France.
The age of consent in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) is 16. In addition, all UK territories have their own local age of consent laws. At present, however, all of these areas also set the age of consent at 16. In the UK, there are no exceptions for people close to age. Two people under the age of consent can be prosecuted for sexual activity. If an accused is charged with an offence under section 151 (sexual interference), 152 (invitation to sexual touching), 153 (1) (sexual exploitation), 160 (3) (bestiality in the presence of or by a child) or 173 (2) (immoral acts) or for an offence under section 271 (sexual assault), 272 (sexual assault with a weapon, B. threats against others or bodily harm) or § 273 (aggravated sexual assault) against a complainant under sixteen years of age, The fact that the complainant consented to the activity that is the subject of the indictment is not a defence. Under no circumstances will the victim be deemed to have given consent if he or she is under 14 years of age or suffers from a disability or mental illness. The «age of consent» is the minimum age at which a person is considered legally capable of consenting to sexual acts. A person younger than the age of consent (i.e.
minor) cannot legally confirm that a sexual act in which they participated was consensual. In other words, in the eyes of the law, they are not yet old enough to consent to sex. If a person over the age of consent engages in sexual activity with a minor partner, that activity may be considered legal rape. In fact, in some jurisdictions, a sexual act may be considered legal rape, even if all participants were minors.