'Raise age of consent'
February 09, 2007
If Major Richard Reese, the commissioner of corrections, had his way, the age of consent to sexual intercourse would be raised from 16 to 18.
That was the prison chief's strong recommendation when he appeared yesterday before a joint select committee of Parliament, considering amendments to laws dealing with sexual offences.
But, in a swift reaction, Children's Advocate Mary Clarke rejected that option, predicting that it would only serve to drive young people, who need assistance, further underground.
Rational Decisions
In his presentation, Major Reese pointed out that, at age 16, a child was still financially dependent on parents. "Raising the age (of consent) will help them to postpone their earlier sexual involvement and thereby focus on preparation for adulthood. This age (18 years) will also be consistent with the age when children are considered adults and are capable of making rational decisions," he argued.
But Mrs. Clarke would have none of it.
"Legislation should seek to protect children and not to increase criminalisation of children. We need to focus on protecting our children from exploitation, especially by adults," she stressed.
While accepting the desirability of having teenagers wait until they are "physically, emotionally and financially ready" for such demanding responsibilities, she argued that it was a fact of life that many of them were not waiting, and would not be influenced by more stringent legislation to conform.
"We have had reports, for example, of them not visiting the clinics when they need to because they are afraid of what would happen to their partner," she cautioned.
Shared concerns
On the political side of the committee, Sharon Hay-Webster, MP for South Central St. Catherine, told The Gleaner that, while she supported raising the age of consent, in principle, she also shared some of Mrs. Clarke's concerns. ...
Author: Earl Moxam
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
