Underage Sexual Activity

This chapter was added in June 2022.

1. Definition

Many young people will develop a healthy and developmentally appropriate interest in sexual relationships whilst they are still children and some will do this before they reach the age of consent.

Interventions should be aimed at protection of vulnerable children and the provision of information and contraception (where appropriate) for other young people.

Children under the age of 13 are legally deemed incapable of consenting to sexual activity and therefore all incidences of sexual behaviour involving children under 13 should be considered as a potential criminal or child protection matter.

Practitioners should be aware of the risk that the child may be at risk of Sexual Exploitation.

2. Risks

In assessing the nature of any particular behaviour, it is essential to look at the facts of the actual relationship between those involved. Power imbalances are very important and can occur through differences in size, age and development and where gender, sexuality, race and levels of sexual knowledge are used to exert such power. (Of these, age may be a key indicator, for example, a 15 year old girl and a 25 year old man). There will also be an imbalance of power if the young person's sexual partner is in a position of trust in relation to them, such as a. teacher, youth worker, carer etc. (and thereby committing an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 1992 irrespective of the age of the victim). In the assessment, workers need to include the use of sex for favours, for example, exchanging sex for clothes, CD's, trainers, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes etc.

If the young person has a learning disability, mental disorder or other communication difficulty, they may not be able to communicate easily to someone that they are, or have been abused, or subjected to abusive behaviour. Staff members need to be aware that the Sexual Offences Act 1992 recognises the rights of people with a mental disorder to a full life, including a sexual life. However, there is a duty to protect them from abuse and exploitation.

Young People Under the Age of 13

Under the Sexual Offences Act 1992, children under the age of 13 are considered of insufficient age to give consent to sexual activity. The Police must be notified as soon as possible when a criminal offence has been committed or is suspected of having been committed against a child.

In all cases where the sexually active child is under the age of 13, a referral (see Referrals Procedure) must be made to the Initial Response Team, Children and Families Division. A multi-agency strategy Discussion should be held and a (S46) NARRATES assessment undertaken as part of the enquiries.

When a girl under 13 is found to be pregnant, a referral to the Initial Response Team, Children and Families Division must be made. A multi-agency Strategy Discussion should be held and a (S46) NARRATES Assessment completed, as part of the enquiries.

Young People Between 13 and 16

Whilst mutually agreed, non-exploitative sexual activity between young people does take place and that often no harm comes from it, the age of consent is 16. Nevertheless, this group of young people are still vulnerable, even when they do not view themselves as such.

Sexually active young people in this age group should have their needs assessed if there is concern that sexual intercourse has taken place between two young people and was non-consensual.  The decision about whether to make a referral or not will depend on the level of risk/need assessed by those working with the young person. Prior to a referral being made to the Initial Response Team, Children and Families Division it is important that any practitioner working with young people is clear about the risks and needs, and whether either young person believe the relationship to be non-consensual.

Young People Between 16 and 18

Although sexual activity is no longer an offence over the age of 16, young people under the age of 18 are still offered protection under the Children and Young Person’s Act 2001.

Consideration still needs to be given to issues of sexual exploitation and abuse of power in circumstances outlined above. Young people, of course, can still be subject to offences of rape and assault and the circumstances of an incident may need to be explored with a young person. Young people over the age of 16 and under the age of 18 are not deemed able to give consent if the sexual activity is with an adult in a position of trust or a family member as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 1992.

3. Indicators

In order to determine whether the relationship presents a risk to the young person, the following factors should be considered. This list is not exhaustive and other factors may need to be taken into account:

  • Whether the young person is competent to understand and consent to the sexual activity they are involved in;
  • The nature of the relationship between those involved, particularly if there are age or power imbalances;
  • Whether overt aggression, coercion or bribery was involved including misuse of substances/alcohol as a disinhibitory factor or;
  • Whether the young person's own behaviour, for example through misuse of substances, including alcohol, places them in a position where they are unable to make an informed choice about the activity;
  • Any attempts to secure secrecy by the sexual partner beyond what would be considered usual in a teenage relationship;
  • Whether the sexual partner is known by the agency as having other concerning relationships with similar young people;
  • If accompanied by an adult, does that relationship give any cause for concern?
  • Whether the young person denies, minimises or accepts concerns;
  • Whether methods used to secure compliance and/or secrecy by the sexual partner are consistent with behaviours considered to be 'grooming';
  • Whether sex has been used to gain favours;
  • The young person has a lot of money or other valuable things which cannot be accounted for.

It is considered good practice for workers to apply Gillick competence when discussing personal or sexual matters with a young person under 16. This provides guidance when advising and treating young people under 16 years of age and indicates that sexual health services can be offered without parental consent providing that:

  • The young person understands the advice that is being given;
  • The young person cannot be persuaded to inform or seek support from their parents, and will not allow the worker to inform the parents that contraceptive/protection, for example condom advice, is being given;
  • The young person is likely to begin or continue to have sexual intercourse without contraception or protection by a barrier method;
  • The young person's physical or mental health is likely to suffer unless they receive contraceptive advice or treatment;
  • It is in the young person's best interest to receive contraceptive/safe sex advice and treatment without parental consent.

4. Protection and Action to be Taken

When working with young people, it must always be made clear to them that absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, and that there will be some circumstances where the needs of the young person can only be safeguarded by sharing information with others.

In some cases, urgent action may need to be taken to safeguard the welfare of a young person. However, in most circumstances there will need to be a process of information sharing and discussion to be able to formulate an appropriate plan. There should be time for reasoned consideration to define the best way forward. Anyone concerned about the sexual activity of a young person should initially discuss this with the designated person in their agency responsible for child protection. Following discussion between the practitioner and designated person there may be an agreement to submit a referral to the Initial Response Team, Children and Families Division if it is considered that the threshold criteria for significant harm has been met.

Where there are concerns that a young person may be at risk of sexual exploitation, a referral should be made to the Initial Response Team, Children and Families, in accordance with the Referrals Procedure; where the situation is an emergency, the local police should be contacted immediately.

Once the referral is received by the Initial Response Team a strategy meeting will be convened with a S46 NARRATES commenced.

The findings from the enquiries carried out will determine the way forward:

That there is no evidence of actual or likely significant harm and no support needs highlighted, in which case the Initial Response Team, Children and Families Division will take no further action

  • That the child is in need of some support and advice but there are no concerns that the child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, Significant Harm. In which case Children and Families Division, in consultation with other agencies, could refer to Early Help and Support (EHAS). Parental consent will be required prior to the referral being made.
  •   There are concerns that the child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, Significant Harm. In which case Children and Families Division will determine the next steps taken. That a plan is put in place to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

Any girl, either under or over the age of 13, who is pregnant, must be offered specialist support and guidance by the relevant services. Such services should also be a part of the assessment of the girl's circumstances.

5. Issues

Sharing information with parents and carers: - Decisions to share information with parents and carers will be taken using professional judgement, consideration of Gillick Competence and in accordance with the Information Sharing Procedure. Decisions will be based on the child's age, maturity and ability to appreciate what is involved in terms of the implications and risks to themselves. This should be coupled with the parents' and carers' ability and commitment to protect the young person. Given the responsibility that parents have for the conduct and welfare of their children, professionals should encourage the young person, at all points, to share information with their parents and carers wherever safe to do so.

Sexual Grooming: -  it an offence for a person (A) aged 18 or over to meet intentionally, or to travel with the intention of meeting a child under 16 in any part of the world, if he has met or communicated with that child on  just one  occasion, and intends to commit a "relevant offence" against that child either at the time of the meeting or on a subsequent occasion. In addition the Serious Crime Bill introduced  an offence of sexual communication with a child. This makes it an offence for an adult to communicate with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, where the communication is sexual or if it is intended to elicit from the child a communication which is sexual. An offence is not committed in either circumstance if (A) reasonably believes the child to be 16 or over. 

The Age of Consent: - The legal age for young people to consent to have sex is still 16, whether they are straight, gay or bisexual. The aim of the law is to protect the rights and interests of young people, and make it easier to prosecute people who pressure or force others into having sex they don't want. For the purposes of the under 13 offences, whether the child consented to the relevant risk is irrelevant. A child under 13 does not, under any circumstances, have the legal capacity to consent to any form of sexual activity.

Protecting People Who Are Experiencing Mental Health Difficulties: - The Sexual Offences Act 1992 provides protection to those with a mental disorder:

  • Please note that the term Mental Disorder is the actual wording referred to within the Sexual Offences Act 1992.
  • The Act covers offences committed against those who, because of a profound mental disorder, lack the capacity to consent to sexual activity;
  • The Act covers offences where a person with a mental disorder is induced, threatened or deceived into sexual activity;
  • The Act makes it an offence for people providing care, assistance or services to someone in connection with a mental disorder to engage in sexual activity with that person.

Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation:

Currently there are limited offences in law to cover child sexual exploitation, but this will be addressed with the introduction of the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 in late 2022. Despite this, you should always seek advice from the Police Public Protection Unit or the Safeguarding Lead in Manx Care where there are concerns about the exploitation of a child.

The Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 covers a number of offences to deal with those who abuse and exploit children. The offences protect children up to the age of 18 and can attract tough penalties. They include:

  • Paying for the sexual services of a child;
  • Causing or inciting child sexual exploitation;
  • Arranging or facilitating child sexual exploitation;
  • Controlling a child in relation to child sexual exploitation;
  • Sexual communication with a child.

These are not the only charges that may be brought against those who use or abuse children through child sexual exploitation. Abusers and coercers often physically, sexually and emotionally abuse these children, and may effectively imprison them. If a child is a victim of serious offences, the most serious charge that the evidence will support should always be used.

Keeping Children Safe in Education within the UK and used as acceptable guidance on the Isle of Man highlights that, 'Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two children of any age and sex, from primary through to secondary stage and into colleges. It can occur through a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children. Sexual violence and sexual harassment exist on a continuum and may overlap; they can occur online and face to face (both physically and verbally) and are never acceptable. It notes that all staff working with children are advised to maintain an attitude of 'it could happen here' and to understand that, as a result of pupil's reluctance to refer themselves, they should act on third-party information.

Further Information

Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers MASM Procedure

Harmful Sexual Behaviour Procedure

Child Sexual Exploitation Procedure

Gillick Competency and Frazer Guidelines NSPCC Learning last updated 10.06.20 Best practice guidance for doctors and health professionals on the provision of advice and treatment to young people under 16 on contraception, sexual and reproductive health (Department of Health UK)