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Open Raise the age of consent to 18 with peer exception for 16-17 year olds

Created by Tegan Genevieve Jones
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Set the legal age of consent at 18. Allow a “close-in-age” or “peer” exception: 16–17 year olds can consent only with other 16–17 year olds. Make it illegal for any adult (18+) to engage in sexual activity with someone under 18, unless they had an existing sexual relationship from age 16/17.

This proposal is about safeguarding, not restriction. Teenagers form peer relationships, but there is a clear difference between these and those involving adults. We believe that raising the age of consent to 18, with a close-in-age/peer exception, would better protect young people from exploitation while respecting development. We believe that at 16 individuals are still maturing and should not be considered able to consent to sex with adults, not only those in positions of trust.

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    This petition will stay open until 14 November 2026.