Northern Ireland Office

Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson MP has urged those who have not yet responded to the consultation on a review of the law on sexual offences to make their representations to Government before Friday’s closing date. The consultation was launched on the July 5 and looks at a range of measures to strengthen sex offences law in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson said: “It is important that people have their say about strengthening the legislation to give the young and vulnerable even greater protection.

“The consultation seeks to canvass opinion on what is needed.  There are no 'sweeping changes' being imposed, nor at this stage any 'new law'.  

“The paper asks questions on whether the 'age of consent' should be lowered to bring it into line with legislation in the rest of the UK.   It also seeks to inform a debate on how the criminal law should address complex issues, particularly in relation to sexual behaviour and young people."  

The Minister continued: “There is no proposal to change the existing offence of sexual activity in a public toilet.  Such behaviour is, and will remain, illegal with a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment. The paper does not refer to 'mini brothels' but asks whether we should follow proposals in England and Wales to allow 2 or 3 women to work together from one address in the interest of their safety.

“There are some who are deliberately attempting to misrepresent these proposals and have made a number of sweeping and false allegations. This process is about providing protection to young and vulnerable adults.

“The Government looks forward to receiving responses on this and will wish to consider carefully all the views expressed before moving to publish proposals for draft legislation, also for consultation, next year.”

'The twelve week consultation period finishes on 13 October.