Govt to publish age of sexual consent report

The report of a government consultation with teenagers on the age of sexual consent is to be published today.

The report of a government consultation with teenagers on the age of sexual consent is to be published today.

Minister for Children Brian Lenihan sought the views of teens on the issue in the wake of a Supreme Court judgment in May striking down the law on statutory rape.

The controversial ruling - which deemed a section of the legislation unconstitutional - saw several convicted sex offenders released from prison and provoked a public outcry.

As a result of the crisis, an Oireachtas committee was set up in July to explore what changes were needed to criminal law or the Constitution to protect children from sex offenders.

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Some 210 teenagers, aged between 15 and 18 years, from Dublin, Cork, Tullamore and Sligo were last month asked their views on the age of consent as part of the committee's investigation.

The National Youth Council of Ireland, Foróige and Youth Work Ireland carried out discussion workshops with the youngsters as part of the process.

Pupils from every second level school as well as youth groups, student councils and special interest groups were among those invited to make submissions. Travellers rights groups Pavee Point also consulted with a cross-section of teenage boys and girls.

The report was first presented to Minister Lenihan and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection on November 3rd ahead of today's public launch.