GS Paper 2:
Topics Covered: Government policies and associated issues.
Context:
The Philippines has raised its age of sexual consent from 12 years to 16 years.
The law is gender-neutral and applies to both male and female children and offenders.
- Until now, it had one of the lowest ages of consent in the world, with roughly one in five children experiencing sexual violence.
What is the “age of consent” in India?
In India, The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, defines a “child” as anyone below 18 years of age, and hence, engaging in sexual activity with a ‘child’ is considered sexual assault.
The demand for the review of age of consent in India:
The fact remains that many of the cases of sexual assault reported to the police (under the Pocso Act and other laws) dealing with the 16-18 years-old children are consensual in nature and are generally reported at the behest of girl’s parents who disapprove of the teenagers’ conduct.
- Therefore, the most relevant question to be addressed is whether a teenage girl or boy of this age has the capability to give “free consent”.
- Records show that in most cases in this age group, girls turn hostile because the sexual act was not against their will and they were not allured or induced into indulging in the act.
- It has also been observed that due to a change in the sociocultural environment in recent decades, teenagers are sensible enough to understand the implications of their conduct.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Jaya Jailtley committee was constituted for the purpose of?
- Legal provisions related to minimum age of marriage for men and women in India.
- Key provisions of Special Marriage Act, 1954.
- Overview of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
Mains Link:
Do you think minimum age for marriage for men and women should be raised? Discuss.
Sources: Indian Express.
