Health junior minister criticises ‘anomalous’ age of consent situation

'We have an anomalous situation whereby 16-year-olds are allowed to marry and work and are criminally accountable, but they aren't allowed to have sex' - Chris Fearne

Health parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne has called for a proper discussion regarding the age of consent in Malta.

“We have an anomalous situation whereby 16-year-olds are allowed to marry and work and are criminally accountable, but they aren't allowed to have sex,” Fearne pointed out, during the second reading of a draft counselling professions law in Parliament.

Last week, Labour whip Godfrey Farrugia called for the lowering of the age of consent from 18 to 16-years-old.

Speaking in Parliament, Farrugia had pointed out that Malta is the only European country where the age of consent is so high.

“The age of consent in all European countries except for Cyprus is between 14 and 16,” Farrugia said. “Turkey is the only country geographically close to Europe where the age of consent is 18.

“The time has come to move ahead with the times, provide social justice to 16-17 year olds, and change this clause in the law that is causing suffering amongst youths in this age group, as well as their partners.”