Paedophilia

[kwicky]

If a 17 year old boy has sex with a 15 year old girl is he branded a paedophile? If so would he be branded as such for the rest of his life? Should there be different categories rather than lump all cases together?

[Ctrak]

I think he would...

Most countries seem to have a proximity law which would either allow this sort of thing or give a more lenient sentence, but my admittedly quick research turns up nothing for the UK.

In that particular case, I'd say he just has to wait a bit. If he loved her, I don't see why he'd risk court proceedings. Of course, if he didn't actually know her age it'd be a lot more excusable, so for that I'd be in favour of said proximity law.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_i n_Europe#United_Kingdom_.28and_its_Crown_depen dencies.29

Some of this is surprisingly funny.

[curiosity]

No not a paedophile, but underage sex is against the law. However it depends on the relationship etc etc, if the sex happened as part of a mutual consentual relationship then it would be addressed as that and not as an offence.

[fairkatrina]

The most he could be charged with is statutory rape, as the girl is over 14 (sex with anyone under that age automatically gets 'paedophile' status, but it is acknowledged that people over that age do engage in sexual relationships). Obviously if the sex is within the bounds of a relationship is is more acceptable. Given that there is only a 2 year age difference I doubt the police would be too interested, but people in that situation still need to be discreet because technically it is a crime. Theoretically if he was tried and prosecuted by a zealot then he could be made to sign the sex offenders' register for life - not something you want on your c.v.

[Oneeyedvic]

Interesting article (and video) here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6162724.stm

"Official government guidance on prosecuting suggests that teenagers who have sex when one of them is below 16 should not necessary be prosecuted."

[brionon]

Would you want your 15year old daughter to have sex ? If not,try controlling your son.

[rojash]

I can assure you brionon, that my son has never had sex with my daughter.

[prattler]

Generally the police are allowed to use their discretion in cases such as this.A 17 year old sleeping with a 15 year old is not the same as a 30 year old doing the same thing.common sense prevails in most instances.

[gerkin]

Having sex with a 15 year girl old does not mean you have a professional interest in feet !