‘Romeo and Juliet’ clause exempts consensual teenage relationships from child abuse reporting in England

[IwantToRetire]

A new crime and policing bill obliges professionals in England, including teachers and healthworkers, to report suspicions of child sexual abuse to the police or local authority in an attempt by the government to prevent cover-ups.

The crime and policing bill introduces the concept of a close-in-age exemption by asking professionals to use their judgment when it comes to whether they need to report cases involving teenagers found to be sexually active, inciting each other to engage in such activity or engaging in it in front of a child.

In order to be covered by the exemption from the duty to report, teachers and other professionals need to be confident that the individuals are both over the age of 13 and that there are no concerns about any abuse or coercion in the relationship.

Full article ‘Romeo and Juliet’ clause exempts consensual teenage relationships from child abuse reporting in England

13 is way too young, especially as it could be very difficult to prove coercion - i think a guy saying 'if you loved me you would' is coercion, but I'm sure many others wouldn't.

As not reporting results in an easier life for a mandated repirted, I would be concerned that some cases could be considered not coercive or abusive to save on doing the paperwork. Other reasons not to report could be to protect the potential abuser - 'he's only young' or 'she's no innocent' could be the thought process, ¹or to protect the image od the school/sports club/youth organisation the young people met at.

I don't think there should be automatic prosecution, but I think an expert should be making the call not to prosecute, not a teacher.

Not forgetting how hard it is to persuade someone who is being coerced to admit to it happening, or even recognising it is happening.