Peter Tatchell: Time To Lower Age Of Consent

10 October 2016, 11:38 | Updated: 10 October 2016, 11:48

Campaigner Peter Tatchell explains why he believes the age of consent should be lowered.

Talking to LBC’s Lucy Beresford on the sex and relationships show, he said that he doesn’t believed children should have sex early, but that as so many of them do, it is wrong to criminalise them.

“I think it is best that young people wait. I do not think early sex is a good idea. But If young people do have consensual sex and they are below the age of sixteen I don’t think they should be treated as criminals.”

“Criminalisation is the wrong approach and the fact is whether we like it or not, half you young people have their first sexual experience around about the age of 13-14, who according to the law are all criminals and all liable to be put on the sex offenders register.”