Petition · Home Office
Increase the age of consent to 20 with exceptions for young people 16-19
Open for signatures
35 signatures
What the petition asks
The age of consent should be raised to 20, to protect young people. There should be a clause so that those aged 16-19 are not criminalised for having consensual sex below the age of consent.
Our current age of consent law allows for an adult, of any age, to have sex with a 16 year old, however a 16 year old is still considered a child by law. This law leaves young people vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Raising the age of consent to 20 will protect young people, while having a clause so that they are not criminalised will allow them to have consensual, age appropriate sex.
Timeline
| 21 May 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
35
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Home Office
Opened
21 May 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.