3.The Act makes three changes to the law on sexual offences. First, it reduces the minimum age at which a person, whether male or female, may lawfully consent to buggery (an offence which does not exist in Scotland) and certain homosexual acts. This reduction is from 18 to 16 in England and Wales and Scotland, and from 18 to 17 in Northern Ireland. This equalises the age of consent for sexual activity so that it is the same for male homosexuals as for heterosexuals and lesbians ie 16 in England, Wales and Scotland and 17 in Northern Ireland. Second, in all jurisdictions, a person under the age of consent no longer commits an offence themselves if they engage in buggery (not Scotland) or certain homosexual acts with a person over the age of consent.
Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000
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- UK Public General Acts
- 2000 c. 44
- Explanatory Notes
- Summary
- 3 The Act makes three changes to the law on sexual offences. First, it reduces the minimum age at which a person, whether male or female, may lawfully consent to buggery (an offence which does not exist in Scotland) and certain homosexual acts. This reduction is from 18 to 16 in England and Wales and Scotland, and from 18 to 17 in Northern Ireland. This equalises the age of consent for sexual activity so that it is the same for male homosexuals as for heterosexuals and lesbians ie 16 in England, Wales and Scotland and 17 in Northern Ireland. Second, in all jurisdictions, a person under the age of consent no longer commits an offence themselves if they engage in buggery (not Scotland) or certain homosexual acts with a person over the age of consent.
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