Walliams allegations prompt calls for staggered age of consent at 16 and 17
Summary
Campaigners and some Labour MPs are calling for England and Wales to change the law on sexual activity involving 16- and 17-year-olds. One proposal would make it a crime for an adult more than three years older to have sex with a 16- or 17-year-old, while researchers have questioned whether such laws protect young people and warned they could discourage them from seeking support.Key Facts
- England and Wales set the age of consent at 16, with no general age-gap limit for partners.
- The Close the Consent Gap campaign proposes criminalising sexual activity between a 16- or 17-year-old and someone more than three years older.
- Campaign founder Layla Stone said the proposal would allow relationships between teenagers close in age while prohibiting relationships such as one between a 16-year-old and a 35-year-old.
- Victims’ commissioner Claire Waxman has called for serious discussion of possible legal changes.
- Barrister Charlotte Proudman said an age-gap rule could shift responsibility to older adults and address power imbalances.
- Researcher Roger Ingham said evidence on whether different consent laws protect young people is limited and that many cases go unreported.
- Researchers warned that criminalising some relationships could deter young people from seeking contraception advice or other support.
- Canadian law considers age difference when assessing exploitation of 16- and 17-year-olds and prohibits sexual activity with a partner at least five years older for 14- and 15-year-olds.
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