RCNI Press Release 30 November 2006
It is an ill-considered mistake to lower the age of consent
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today while congratulated the Joint Committee on Child Protection on the prompt delivery of this report to the Oireachtas, are appalled that the committee are to recommend lowering the age of consent. Lowering the age of consent is a mistake which stands to jeopardise and undermine many other good recommendations within this report.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Director said, ‘while we welcome many of the provisions within this report it is with great disappointment we learnt that the committee were to recommend lowering the age of consent, from 17 to 16. The committee and politicians who have championed 16 since May, including Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, have not seen fit to give us any good reasons for their decision. This is a hugely important piece of the law. It is also complex.’
Clíona Saidléar, RCNI Policy Coordinator said, ‘What is clear is that currently in Ireland the Age of Consent is highly overworked and buckling under the responsibilities it bears, which are outside of its remit, due to the absence of supporting and essential legislation, policy and resources. It is also clear that the age of consent is experienced in highly gendered ways. Almost 80% of young women today already regret having sex as early as they did. Lowering the age of consent simply pushes that bar lower, exposing young girls today to ever increasing levels of pressure. The Age of Consent at 17 offers protection not only from older predators but also where there is sexual violence between peers.
Lowering the age means increased vulnerability of young people and increased licence to get a way with it for the abuser.’
The RCNI have prepared a paper, detailing the raft of good reasons to maintain the age of consent at 17 and refuting arguments we have heard for lowering it. It is called Whose consent is it anyway? and is online at www.rcni.ie/public.htm
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Fiona Neary: 087 2222009
Cliona Saidlear: 087 2196447
……………..End…………………
Fiona Neary, RCNI Director said, ‘while we welcome many of the provisions within this report it is with great disappointment we learnt that the committee were to recommend lowering the age of consent, from 17 to 16. The committee and politicians who have championed 16 since May, including Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, have not seen fit to give us any good reasons for their decision. This is a hugely important piece of the law. It is also complex.’
Clíona Saidléar, RCNI Policy Coordinator said, ‘What is clear is that currently in Ireland the Age of Consent is highly overworked and buckling under the responsibilities it bears, which are outside of its remit, due to the absence of supporting and essential legislation, policy and resources. It is also clear that the age of consent is experienced in highly gendered ways. Almost 80% of young women today already regret having sex as early as they did. Lowering the age of consent simply pushes that bar lower, exposing young girls today to ever increasing levels of pressure. The Age of Consent at 17 offers protection not only from older predators but also where there is sexual violence between peers.
Lowering the age means increased vulnerability of young people and increased licence to get a way with it for the abuser.’
The RCNI have prepared a paper, detailing the raft of good reasons to maintain the age of consent at 17 and refuting arguments we have heard for lowering it. It is called Whose consent is it anyway? and is online at www.rcni.ie/public.htm
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Fiona Neary: 087 2222009
Cliona Saidlear: 087 2196447
……………..End…………………
Rape Crisis Network Ireland, The Halls, Quay Street, Galway, Ireland
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
091 563676
091 563677
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
