UK Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden confirmed that the government plans to discuss establishing a staggered age of consent to curb power abuses. The issue gained traction following a campaign by Mia Latter, who alleges she was raped at age 16 by comedian Russell Brand when he was 30. Latter's proposal seeks to criminalize sexual relationships between older adults and 16- to 17-year-olds while ensuring relationships between peers remain fully legal. Child protection organizations such as the NSPCC have supported the discussions, warning that the current legal framework fails to protect older teenagers from exploitation.
Key points
Existing UK law currently allows adults of any age to legally have sex with 16- and 17-ye…: Existing UK law currently allows adults of any age to legally have sex with 16- and 17-year-olds.
Proposed legal adjustments aim to ban older adults from dating 16- to 17-year-olds withou…: Proposed legal adjustments aim to ban older adults from dating 16- to 17-year-olds without penalizing relationships between teenagers.
The NSPCC charity and politicians argue that older adolescents currently face significant…: The NSPCC charity and politicians argue that older adolescents currently face significant vulnerability to grooming and sexual exploitation.
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A discussion over a staggered age of consent is to take place, the work and pensions secretary has said, as the government faces calls to change the law following allegations against Russell Brand.
Speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Pat McFadden said that "appalling" stories of "abuse of power by powerful men" have emerged this week.
A woman who alleges she was raped by the jailed comedian when she was 16 is now campaigning to see the law changed so that relationships between 16-and 17-year-olds and adults would be illegal.
Questions over a staggered age of consent have "been raised and will be discussed" McFadden said, adding: "[I] can't tell you what the conclusion of that would be, but the last week has certainly put that up in lights."
Adults of any age are legally able to have sex with 16 and 17-year-olds, under UK law.
Mia Latter, who has waived her right to anonymity, told the Sunday Times that she wants to see the age of consent to be staggered.
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