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This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

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Closed Make it illegal for over 18s to engage in sexual activity with under 18s

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We want to prevent sexual exploitation of 16-17 year olds, recognising young people at this age are vulnerable to grooming & exploitation by adults. This petition asks the UK govt. to better protect 16-17 year olds by making it illegal for adults to engage in sexual activity with any under 18s.

It is currently legal for anyone over 18 to have sexual contact with a 16 or 17 year-old - unless they are in a 'position of trust' and the child is in their care. That adult could be a ’family friend’ who has the trust of a child’s parents/carers and has known the child their whole life.

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  • Petition closed

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 9 November 2022.