Your right to have sex

It is legal in England and Wales for young men and women to have sex once they are both 16.   This applies to sexual relationships between young men and women and between young people of the same sex.

In Scotland and Jersey it is legal for young men and women to have sex once they are 16.  In Northern Ireland the age is 17.

In Scotland it is legal for men to have sex with men if they are both 16.   In Northern Ireland you have to be 17 and in Jersey the legal age is 18.

There are no specific laws in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey about women having sex with women so provided both women consent and are above the usual age of consent, it is legal.

Prosecutions for having sex under these ages is rare as long as both people consented and there is no evidence of exploitation or a large age difference.

Young people also have the right to say no to sex or any other behaviour that makes them uncomfortable. Abuse can be emotional, physical or sexual. Abuse can also take the form of neglect. It can happen in different types of relationships and is to do with power. Abuse of any kind in any relationship is never the fault of the person being abused.

If you would like to talk to someone about this issue, other organisations can help.