Make it illegal for 18+ adults to have sex with under 18s

Closed 435 signatures

What the petition asks

Keep the legal age of consent at 16, but make it illegal for adults aged 18 or over to have sexual activity with anyone under 18. This could protect minors from grooming and adult exploitation while still allowing legal relationships between peers aged 16–17.

We do not think that adults aged 18 or over should be allowed to have sex with anyone under 18. Although the age of consent is 16, 16–17-year-olds are still developing emotionally and mentally, and can be more vulnerable to grooming, coercion, and manipulation by adults. We believe this change could improve protection for teenagers, and align the law with existing safeguarding standards used in education and youth services.

Timeline

14 Aug 2025	Petition opened for signatures
14 Feb 2026	Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 435

Status Closed

Department Home Office

Opened 14 Aug 2025

Closed 14 Feb 2026

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