Reform consent laws to include age-gap protections for 16–17-year-olds — 9 signatures. Status: rejected.
We call on the UK Government to reform consent laws to include age-gap protections for 16–17-year-olds. While the age of consent in the UK is 16, this does not account for significant power imbalances that can exist between teenagers and much older adults.
. Large age differences can increase the risk of coercion, manipulation, and exploitation, even where consent is technically given. We believe the law should better reflect these risks by introducing clearer protections for young people aged 16–17. This could include establishing a maximum age difference in relationships involving minors, while maintaining existing laws on grooming, abuse of trust, and exploitation. Such reforms would help prevent significantly older adults from pursuing relationships with teenagers, reduce the risk of harm, and provide clearer legal boundaries that prioritise the safety and wellbeing of young people. We urge the Government to review current legislation and introduce age-gap safeguards to strengthen protections for 16–17-year-olds.
View this petition on the official UK Parliament website