CONSENTING

A good friend phoned me last week in a real panic.
His young son had just been arrested and charged with having sex with his under age girlfriend-----as young couples are inclined to do.

Now my friend called me because I have worked in the law all of my life. He wanted to know what he should do---which lawyer he should go to----would his son go to gaol---would a conviction be on his record for the rest of his life.

I laughed at him, told him to keep his head, not to get angry with his son and that I would be at his home in an hour.
My first question to his son was "How did the Police get involved--who told them ?."
It was the girls Father who had caught them in the act---embarrassing to have a parent wander in while you are nuts deep in their daughter----ah, but I didn't say that.
Second question was "How old is your girlfriend ?"-----Just turned 16----And "How old are you ?"----come on Uncle Clyde, you know I'm 16, you were at my birthday party.
Now for the big question---"Did you force her or did she want to do it ?"----It was her idea--she wanted to try it and so did I.

Now the age of consent in my State is 17-----very confusing country---the laws are mainly State Laws---other States have an age of consent of 16---one State has 16 but you have to be 18 to try anal sex---now that's confusing----and there is one State that we all joke about saying it's OK at any age as long as it's your sister and you have tried it with a sheep first----
OK, back to the serious story.

So with all of the information that I needed, I phoned the arresting officer---I know him---He said "Clyde, you know I cant talk to you about this.---the father has complained to us, we have a statement from the girl, your mate's son has admitted it, so we had to charge him"-----Yep, that's fine--you have a statement from the girl, you have a statement from the boy, so have you arrested and charged the girl?.

There was a strange silence on the phone then a "What do you mean--the girl---why"
Well, the boy is under the age of consent, you have these statements, so she is as guilty as he is, you have the same evidence against her, why isn't she arrested and charged ?
He laughed--but realised that I was right---"What are we going to do with this Clyde--what do you suggest ?".
Well I would suggest that you go and tell her father what you have now discovered and that the boys father is happy that no charges be laid against his daughter if he reconsiders the charges against his son.

It was all a done deal within an hour and all charges were dropped---but my mates son is not allowed to see his girlfriend anymore---well not officially.

But it got me thinking---what is an appropriate age of consent---is it 16 or 17 or maybe some other age.

OK, so I checked on the Web----just to see what was the go in other countries.
Scandinavian countries are quite famously liberal in their views yet they varied from 15 to 18.
American States are as bad as Australia---a variety of ages
Yet sneak across the boarder to Mexico and its 14
India intrigued me---it's 14 if your married and it can be lowered, but 16 if you are not married----married at 14 or younger---come on.

It was an interesting list---there was even provisions in some countries that are the targets of sex tourists that the age alters if there is money involved or there is coercion by a much older adult.

BUT here it is---yes it was on the list---look it up if you like---
Through all of Europe, the youngest age of consent was 15 except for--
Oh, I don't believe it
No wonder we have trouble all around the world from people associated with this State

The lowest age of consent in the world is 12---yes, 12 years old and it is The VATICAN STATE----yes, look it up
No wonder the Pope doesn't want to get involved with Priests having sex with children---it's OK in the VATICAN