LEGAL AGE OF CONSENT

ABOUT EDUHOPE CHILDREnS CHARITY

The age of consent is a complex issue with no definite minimum age of which a child under 18 is considered old enough to consent to participate in any form of sexual activity due to the diverse cultural and beliefs of who a child is around the world. Although, UNICEF: Convention on the Rights of the Child defines that a child is a person under the age of 18, regardless of their race, religion or abilities; whatever they think or say, whatever type of family they come from. It doesn’t matter where children live, what language they speak, what their parents do, whether they are boys or girls, what their culture is, whether they have a disability or whether they are rich or poor (UNICEF).The Age of Consent ranges from as low as 11 in Nigeria to as high as 21 years old in Bahrain and across the world.
In the United Kingdom (UK) and Ghana, the age of consent is 16 years old. Individuals aged 15 or younger in Ghana are not legally able to consent to sexual activity, and such activity may result in prosecution for statutory rape or the equivalent local law.

In the United Kingdom (UK) and Ghana, the age of consent is 16 years old. Individuals aged 15 or younger in Ghana are not legally able to consent to sexual activity, and such activity may result in prosecution for statutory rape or the equivalent local law.

WHAT IS LEGAL OR ILLEGALY

• No child under 13 years can consent to sexual activity. Any sexual intercourse with a child under 13 will be treated as rape (s.5-8).
• Children under the age of 16 cannot legally consent to sexual activity (Criminalise the perpetrator) (s.9-12)
  16 or 17 years old can consent to sexual relationships, however, may still be risk of sexual exploitation. Capacity to consent should be considered (s16.19)
• Prosecutions for CSE can be brought under provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
  CA s.47 places a duty on the LA to help children likely to suffer or is suffering from significant harm.
  The rights of children and young people principles suggest the right to:

   

1.Non-discrimination

2. The best interest of the child

3. right to safe life

4. survival and development

5. Dignity, equality and respect.