These changes included: automatic prosecution of a person having sexual intercourse with a child under 13 and the lowering of the age of consent to sexual relations from 17 to 16.
The Minister said: “Regarding the issue of the lowering of the age of consent from 17 to 16, in my opinion, had the Assembly been given the option to debate this issue I do not believe it would have been passed. These issues strike at the heart of the values and beliefs of the people of Northern Ireland and as such their representatives should be making these decisions in the Assembly, irrespective of what the arrangements are elsewhere in the UK.
“I have made clear to the NIO my strong objections to some of the changes in this legislation. I believe that the strongest penalties are needed to protect our young children from sexual predators. Therefore, I believe the provision within the Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2007 that anyone having sex with a child under the age of 13 will automatically be charged with rape or sexual assault and be liable to receive a life sentence, should apply to children under the age of 14.
“However, I am content that the NIO has agreed with my request not to disapply the Section 5 of the Criminal Law Act (NI) 1967 regarding sexual offences against children committed by children or young people at this time. I will soon be bringing forward new legislation that will introduce a legal duty for all relevant agencies to cooperate in the safeguarding of children. Until that time, it is important that the statutory requirement to report sexual activity involving children remains.”
Notes to Editors:
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