While there are a few states here in the US that do still have pretty low consent ages, most have raised theirs as time has passed. That having been said, that does not mean there are not still disgusting people in this world who would like to see that age lowered once again.
People all across the world have their own views on the age of consent and what it should be. This something we need to be more aware of considering how much more is coming out on a day-to-day basis about prominent figures and taking advantage of children. As a matter of fact, back in 2013 barrister, Barbara Hewson was criticized over her ‘want’ for the age of consent to be lowered to a mere 13 years of age.
She in an article for Spiked said that it was time to ‘end the persecution of old men’ can you believe that? As if that wasn’t enough she also called for the end of anonymity for those who file ‘complainants’ and believes there should be a much more strict statute of limitations for cases as a whole. These remarks according to The BBC came just after a number of high-profile arrests over offenses of this nature.
The BBC reported as follows on this topic back in 2013 when it was brought to people’s attention:
The NSPCC called her views “outdated and simply ill-informed” and said to hear them “from a highly experienced barrister simply beggars belief”.
Her remarks come after a number of high-profile arrests over allegations of historical sexual offenses in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.
Among those to have been convicted is former BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall, who admitted 14 charges of indecently assaulting girls, including one aged nine, between 1967 and 1985.
Ms. Hewson described Hall’s crimes as “low-level misdemeanors” which “ordinarily… would not be prosecuted”.
“What we have here is the manipulation of the British criminal justice system to produce scapegoats on demand. It is a grotesque spectacle,” she said.
“It’s time to end this prurient charade, which has nothing to do with justice or the public interest.”
She argues for an end to complainant anonymity, a strict statute of limitations to prevent prosecutions after a substantial amount of time has passed and a reduction in the age of consent to 13.
She said that “touching a 17-year-old’s breast, kissing a 13-year-old, or putting one’s hand up a 16-year-old’s skirt” are not crimes comparable to gang rapes and murders and “anyone suggesting otherwise has lost touch with reality”.
The NSPCC described crimes such as Hall’s as “incredibly serious” and said that “to minimize and trivialize the impact of these offenses for victims in this way is all but denying that they have in fact suffered abuse at all.
“Any suggestion of lowering the age of consent could put more young people at risk from those who prey on vulnerable young people.”
It also argued that complainant anonymity should be maintained and that historical prosecutions should be allowed as “many who are abused are bullied, blackmailed and shamed into staying silent, often well into adulthood”.
Since her saying this, others have also said similar things and it’s honestly sickening. We need to be aware of this just as much as we are aware of people who are convicted of doing dirty things to kids. Those who call for ages to be lowered in this sense are dangerous because, in the event that they get their way, they are putting so many more children at risk in much bigger ways than they could ever fathom.