Teachers exempt from reporting teenage sex under ‘Romeo and Juliet’ clause
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Teachers to be exempt from reporting underage sex
- Teachers in the UK will not be legally required to report consensual sexual activity between teenagers if certain conditions are met, under a new clause in the Crime and Policing Bill.
- This "Romeo and Juliet" exemption aims to avoid criminalising consensual underage relationships where there is no coercion, significant age gap, or maturity difference.
- The age of consent in the UK is 16, but unlike in other countries, there is no exemption for sexual activity between under-18s, even when the two are in a consensual relationship.
- The clause gives teachers discretion in reporting such relationships, provided both individuals are over 13 and there are no concerns about abuse.
- The exemption seeks to balance child protection with the need for young people to feel comfortable seeking support and advice, without fear of mandatory reporting.