What the law says
Contents
- Introduction
- What the law says
- Advice for leaders
- Religious and cultural issues
- The Fraser Guidelines
- Behaviour of adults in Scouting working with young people
- Youth produced sexual imagery
- Advice about sexual orientation and gender identity
- Sexual violence and sexual harassment
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Further Support
What the law says
16 is the legal age of consent in the UK for all genders and sexual identities. Young people under the age of 13 cannot legally consent to any form of sexual activity. The Sexual Offences Act (SOA) England 2003, Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, and Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 introduced a series of laws to protect children and young people from sexual abuse. The law does not intend to prosecute mutually agreed teenage sexual activity between two young people of a similar age and development unless it involves abuse or exploitation.
Yellow Card
Our Young People First Code of Practice (Yellow Card) sets out guidance for all adults in Scouts.
Read the Yellow Card