Having sex

As a young person, you have rights and responsibilities when it comes to sex. Make sure you know what they are.

The age at which it is legal to have sex is called the age of consent. In the UK and Jersey the age of consent is 16 years old for everyone, whether they want to have sex with someone of the same or opposite sex.

Under the age of 16 any sort of sexual touching is illegal.

The age of consent law was designed to protect young people from harm rather than to prosecute them. If you are under 16 and you are having sex, it's highly unlikely you will get into trouble as long as there is not a large age difference between you and your partner and you both consent (are happy) to have sex and there is no evidence of any exploitation.

The law is bit different when it comes to a someone who is in a position of trust having a sexual relationship with a young person.   If someone like a teacher, for example, was to have a relationship with a young person they have responsibility for, it would be against the law if the young person was under 18.

Any sort of sexual contact without consent is illegal whatever the age of the people involved.

Legally consent means that someone has the freedom and ability to agree to choose to have sex or not.

The law recognises that sometimes people can be in a situation where they are not free to make a choice.  This can be because of the threat of violence for instance or pressure from their partner.   Sometimes people may not have the ability to consent.   For instance this may be because they have a serious mental disorder or because they are incapacitated by drugs or are asleep.

For more information on sex and your rights, contact Ask Brook on 0808 802 1234. Your call will be confidential. That means we won't tell anyone about it.


 

Related Articles

  • A-Z of sex

    Have you heard a word or phrase lateley that's got you confused? Look at our A-Z of sex and see if you can find out a bit more.

  • Abuse

    No-one has the right to hurt you or make you do anything that feels wrong.If you are worried about abuse, click here to find out more.

  • All about STIs

    Find out more about sexually transmitted infections - their symptoms, their causes and how you make sure you don't get one.

  • Contraception FAQs

    Still got questions about contraception and emergency contraception? Check out the most frequently asked questions here.

  • Emergency contraception

    Emergency contraception can be used to help prevent an unwanted pregnancy up to five days after sex. Find out more on this page.

  • Exploitation

    Sexual exploitation is when a young person is being used for sex by someone who promises them something in return - perhaps housing or money. It's dangerous, illegal and always wrong.

  • Find your nearest service

    Find your nearest young people's service, family planning clinic or sexual health service here. Plus, information on which service might be the best one for you to look for.

  • Having sex for the first time

    If you've never had sex, it's natural that you'll feel a bit anxious about your first time. But it's important that you don't feel pressured into sex and that you know you can say "no" any time. Find out more here.

  • My rights

    Everyone has rights. You have the right to get all the information you need so that you can make informed choices about what's right for you.

  • Ready for sex?

    If you haven't had sex yet, don't worry. The chances are that most of your friends won't have had sex either, whatever they say. Only you can make a decision about whether you are ready for sex. Find out more here.

  • Types of contraception

    There are lots of methods of contraception...bet you can't name them all! Click here to find out more.

  • Types of STIs

    This is where you can find detailed information on individual infections like chlamydia, herpes, genital warts and gonorrhoea, and find out how to treat them.

  • Unhealthy relationships

    A relationship is unhealthy when it involves mean, disrespectful, controlling, or abusive behavior. If you think you might be in an unhealthy relationship, find out what to do here.

  • Useful links

    Useful web links and places to get help and advice.

My Contraception Tool

Check out the new My Contraception Tool

More

Say 'Yes' to 21st Century SRE!

Press release about survey

Al Murray and guests - 13 January

Find out more

Book your place - 15 March 2012

Book now

Most read

  • Abortion

    Abortion means choosing to end a pregnancy so that you don't have a baby. Find out more about...

  • Types of contraception

    There are lots of methods of contraception...bet you can't name them all! Click here to find out...

  • Contraception

    If you are planning to have sex, the best way to prevent pregnancy is to use contraception. And...

  • Types of STIs

    This is where you can find detailed information on individual infections like chlamydia, herpes,...

  • Emergency contraception

    Emergency contraception can be used to help prevent an unwanted pregnancy up to five days after...