Minister promises to listen to teens on consent

The Minister for Children has promised that the Cabinet will hear the suggestions of teenagers on what they think the age of sexual consent should be.

Teenagers have been invited to air their views on the issue at Government workshops around the country next month.

The scheme is in response to the emergency legislation changing the age of consent to 17 years that was rushed in following the Supreme Court ruling on statutory rape.

Director of the Chidren's Rights Alliance Jillian van Turnhaut said today she believes the Government will consider teenager's suggestions.

“The Childrens Rights Alliance has been in consultation with the offices of the Minister for Children and we believe that they really are working hard to ensure the voices of children and young people that they will be consulting will be heard and will be taken into account,” she said.

“We have been assured by the minister that he will be bringing those voices to the Cabinet table.”