Government accused of ‘effectively’ lowering age of consent to 13

Family advocates are up in arms against a new guideline issued by the Scottish government which they say promotes – or at least condones – underage sex among children as young as 13, local media reported on Sunday.

The policy states that if a young person is in a “safe and mutually respectful” relationship, police, teachers and social workers should maintain “confidentiality” – i.e. no telling Mom and Dad. However, the age of consent in Scotland is 16, meaning that no matter how safe and respectful a child’s relationship may be, it technically could be outside the law.

Family campaigners, the Catholic church and others concerned with increased meddling into families’ personal lives by the state have excoriated the new protocol, with the Family Education Trust declaring the rule “effectively” lowers the age of consent to 13.

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