NEW LEGISLATION aimed at tightening the sexual offences law to protect the young has been laid before parliament at Westminster by Northern Ireland Office junior minister Paul Goggins.
However, the measure also includes the controversial provision to reduce to 16 the age of consent in Northern Ireland.
Assembly members and other organisations have already spoken out against lowering the age from 17.
The Sexual Offences Order increases the penalties for sex crimes against minors, with those found guilty of activity involving a child of 13 or under liable to a life sentence. Other prison terms and fines have been made more severe with the existing two-year recommended sentence being raised to 14 years.
The new law will bring the age of consent and other provisions more into line with those in Britain while also extending levels of legal protection for minors.
In addition to the provision protecting children of 13 and under, sexual involvement of a child under 16 will carry a new maximum of 14 years in prison. Rape and other serious sexual assaults will also carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Mr Goggins’s department said yesterday that protection would be strengthened for those over 16 but under 18. Offences of familial abuse, or where the adult involved is in a position of trust, will now be covered. Other offences involving abuse of minors in prostitution or pornography will also be covered by the new legislation.
“The proposed new law offers a radical overhaul of sexual offences as well as greater protection for children, young people and other vulnerable groups,” the minister said.
“The Order sets out the parameters of acceptable sexual activity in the 21st century and clearly states what the law will not tolerate.” He said the changes offer a “modern legislative framework” which reviews legislation and revises the age of consent which was decreed by the old Stormont parliament in the 1950s.
“Those who break the law will find themselves in court facing very lengthy maximum sentences,” he added.
However, elements of the legislation have been criticised.
The Christian Institute accused the minister of contradicting the will of the people by lowering the age of consent. The point was endorsed by Assembly members, 55 of whom supported a motion at Stormont last February calling for retention of the previous age.
Organisations working for child welfare such as Barnardos and the National Council for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children backed the minister’s move. Referring to opposition by a majority of Assembly members, Mr Goggins said: “We are certainly not encouraging 16-year-olds to engage in sexual activity. What this is about is defining the age at which a criminal offence takes place even when consent is given.”
The legislation, which has been nearly four years in the drafting, is expected to pass all stages by June and to be signed into law by the end of the year.