{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/760215.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":760215,"attributes":{"action":"Review and revise age of consent in light of advances in science","background":"In light of scientific evidence, showing the human brain (prefrontal cortex) is not fully developed until between 21-30, l am asking the UK Government to review & revise the law to protect to our vulnerable children from emotional, physical, and mental harm.","additional_details":"Currently UK law allows adults to engage in sexual activity with a child of 16 upwards, including adults of 20, 30, 50 and 60. Scientific evidence shows the prefrontal cortex (the decision making part of the brain) isn't fully developed. 16-year-olds are still learning grasping life-long decisions and consequences. This leaves them vulnerable to manipulation, sexual exploitation, unwanted pregnancies, STDs and spiritual harm. The consequences of the harms of this are real and can have lifelong effects.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":28,"closing_date":"2026-09-19","created_at":"2026-02-06T12:29:43.384Z","updated_at":"2026-04-29T19:46:10.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-03-19T09:40:59.386Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-07T18:47:20.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Janet Otache","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"MoJ","name":"Ministry of Justice","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice"}],"topics":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":28}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Bexleyheath and Crayford","ons_code":"E14001089","mp":"Daniel Francis MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Blackley and Middleton South","ons_code":"E14001103","mp":"Graham Stringer MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Brentford and Isleworth","ons_code":"E14001124","mp":"Ruth Cadbury MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Bury South","ons_code":"E14001145","mp":"Christian Wakeford MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket","ons_code":"E14001146","mp":"Peter Prinsley MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Chippenham","ons_code":"E14001168","mp":"Sarah Gibson MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Colchester","ons_code":"E14001176","mp":"Pam Cox MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Derby North","ons_code":"E14001193","mp":"Catherine Atkinson MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard","ons_code":"E14001206","mp":"Alex Mayer MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Easington","ons_code":"E14001211","mp":"Grahame Morris MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"East Wiltshire","ons_code":"E14001217","mp":"Danny Kruger MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Harrogate and Knaresborough","ons_code":"E14001269","mp":"Tom Gordon MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Heywood and Middleton North","ons_code":"E14001286","mp":"Mrs Elsie Blundell MP","signature_count":4},{"name":"Kettering","ons_code":"E14001311","mp":"Rosie Wrighting MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Kingswinford and South Staffordshire","ons_code":"E14001316","mp":"Mike Wood MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Loughborough","ons_code":"E14001342","mp":"Dr Jeevun Sandher MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Manchester Central","ons_code":"E14001352","mp":"Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Newton Abbot","ons_code":"E14001381","mp":"Martin Wrigley MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Runnymede and Weybridge","ons_code":"E14001456","mp":"Dr Ben Spencer MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"South Suffolk","ons_code":"E14001494","mp":"James Cartlidge MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Taunton and Wellington","ons_code":"E14001540","mp":"Gideon Amos MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Warrington North","ons_code":"E14001564","mp":"Charlotte Nichols MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Widnes and Halewood","ons_code":"E14001584","mp":"Derek Twigg MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Wirral West","ons_code":"E14001589","mp":"Matthew Patrick MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Glenrothes and Mid Fife","ons_code":"S14000090","mp":"Richard Baker MP","signature_count":1}],"signatures_by_region":[{"name":"North East","ons_code":"A","signature_count":1},{"name":"North West","ons_code":"B","signature_count":10},{"name":"Yorkshire and The Humber","ons_code":"D","signature_count":1},{"name":"East Midlands","ons_code":"E","signature_count":3},{"name":"West Midlands","ons_code":"F","signature_count":1},{"name":"East of England","ons_code":"G","signature_count":4},{"name":"London","ons_code":"H","signature_count":2},{"name":"South East","ons_code":"J","signature_count":1},{"name":"South West","ons_code":"K","signature_count":4},{"name":"Scotland","ons_code":"M","signature_count":1}],"other_parliamentary_business":[]}}}