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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To Not Understand the Sexual laws in the UK?

41 replies

RubyFakeNails · 24/09/2012 19:25

Based on but not about the thread on the 15 year old who has recently run away/been abducted to France with her teacher.

There seems to be lots of contradictory information going on, and I just cannot get my head around it. Are the laws around sexual relationships and age of consent really all that complicated?

For example, it has been said that if a girl who is under 16, has a sexual relationship with an adult man (am thinking over 18 as from what it seems its all different again if he is under 18 but over 16) it is automatically considered rape because under 16s cannot legally consent. Is this true?

I was having sex way before 16 and on occasion with men over 18, I would happily testify to this day I was not raped, taken advantage of etc, but would the law still feel differently?

OP posts:

Mrsbiggs · 24/09/2012 20:00

anditwasyello It is taken on a case by case basis - which IMO is right. Some 15 year old girls are very mature - some 18 yr old boys immature - the general rule is a 4 yr age gap - although 15/19 would raise my concern.

Mrsbiggs · 24/09/2012 20:01

Two 13 yr olds would be a problem .....

Original poster

RubyFakeNails · 24/09/2012 20:03

I don't doubt that it wouldn't be of interest to the police, I'm just sort of intrigued what the view is on it, thinking of my own experiences and then my dcs.

OP posts:

thebeesnees79 · 24/09/2012 20:06

I was seeing someone that was 25 when I was 15. If my daughter done that I would flip out!
My dh is 2 years older than me, I was 15 when we met but never went out together till I was 18.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 24/09/2012 20:06

Does the fact he is her teacher make it a different offence, or is it considered an agrevating factor

Chubfuddler · 24/09/2012 20:09

It's a specific offence for someone in a position of responsibility who is over 18 to have sex with someone under 18 even if they are over 16. Can't remember the provision - it's intended to catch the teacher shagging sixth former scenario which used not to be illegal.

Chubfuddler · 24/09/2012 20:12

Just googled - s16-24 sexual offences act 2003

LivingThings · 24/09/2012 22:18

but they are now in France - age of consent 15.

PanofOlympus · 24/09/2012 22:25

I think you may be right Living Things - a French person coming to UK would still be 'under age' until 16. Am pretty sure the nationality of child isn't the determining factor, but under which jurisdiction. I thought of the age but only re likely attempts to find them in France, not that they/he would have appreciated this difference.

Chubfuddler · 24/09/2012 22:39

The police were involved before they fled to France. So it seems likely offences have been committed here already.

PanofOlympus · 24/09/2012 22:41

Chub - if there was evidence of sexual activity wit ha child U16 then action would have been taken, I think/hope.

fuckwittery · 24/09/2012 22:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PanofOlympus · 24/09/2012 22:49

yes, but they are in France, not the UK.

and CPS may not see it as in the best interest of her to prosecute.

Chubfuddler · 24/09/2012 22:52

I suppose it's a matter of evidence, if anything happened between them, and if she wouldn't talk, not much the police could do.

Surely it's abduction, she's only 15.

PanofOlympus · 24/09/2012 23:01

that's being tussled over on the other thread.

butterfly1983 · 02/05/2019 09:49

Hi i have been looking through the net for information on where i stand in my own situation. i was wondering if you could be of any help?

I was sexually taken advantage of at the age of 15 (3mths from turning) by an older man of 25, i was not in a good place mentally at that time i had moved here from another area and i had been bullied out of school, my mum was cheating on my dad and i just felt like i wasn't wanted. he showed me attention which i was wanting to feel wanted. he knew my age & continued to write letters to me and a few months later we started seeing each other regular. not long after i turned 16 i got pregnant by him and i ended up marrying him. in our 13yr marriage he emotionally abused me, he has used my credit in our lifestyle choice and left me struggling with 4 kids. he told me he only married me out of duty not out of love. i feel lied to and he has taken my youth away and my choices in life. i had to go cbt which didn't help and i am in counselling this has effected my life in a big way and caused many problems with my children and I. I reported to the police and they don't care, said i consented and was being revengeful. logged it under sec 6 ULI which is the only offence to carry a time limit of 12mths so they won't do anything. I was of the belief that sec 6 is for people of a similar age not an age gap of 11yrs, this makes it statuary rape doesn't it? he took me to court for a child arrangement order and even my barrister said the police have not done their job. I don't know how i can fight it?

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