The law regarding underage sex leading to a pregnancy.?

Question

ok, here's the deal.

My step-cousin is 15 years old and has just had a baby. The father is 18 years old. They've being togethor a while and are still togethor. The sex leading to the pregnancy was consented by both of them, but the fact is that one was under the age of consent and the other wasn't.

I'm just wondering the law regarding this and why social services or other authorities haven't recommended prosecution. I'm studying Law as I hope to pursue a career in Law but we've not studied this, and when my mum asked me why they haven't taken legal action I said it's more than likely because the sex was consented to by both of the people and so it isn't in the "public interest" for the CPS to prosecute.

This is in the UK btw, I'm just wondering whether I was correct in saying the father isn't being prosecuted because it isn't in the public interest or due to another reason.

Cheers.

In response to the person who said the CPS don't deal with Criminal Affairs.

Thanks for the answer, but the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) do actually deal with Criminal Affairs. They take cases to Court after the police have finished their investigation and recommend which charges to bring and then try to prove them charges in Court...

P.S. The rest of the answer is sound, just what I expected - There is no point in disrupting his future life and the life of the child if he's willing to support the child and the sex was consensual.

Answer 1

CPS does not get involved in criminal affairs. Everything handled by CPS is a civil matter. So, it would take someone bringing to the attention of law enforcement in the community to handle that matter.

Usually, this is the parents of the person who is underage. Now, if they have a child together, are still together, and working to raise the child, the parents may not do anything about it.

Let's put it this way. The father is 18. You have him prosecuted, and he does time. There is now way he can help support this child while in prison. Most likely, given he is only 18, he would only get probation. Even so, this would inhibit future careers because of his criminal record. Again, this would lead to him not being able to provide a better life for the child.

You have to pick your battles. While legally, he may be able to be prosecuted, what purpose would it serve. It would just put more burden on the mother and her family to care for the child.

But, CPS will not do anything about it. They handle abuse, and it is all on the civil side of the law. They do not prosecute people.

Answer 2

I would say he's not being prosecuted because it's not worth it, they're only three years apart. I think if your cousin were fifteen and the guy were thirty there would be more of an issue and a cause for concern. I think social services has a lot more issues to deal with than two teenagers not using protection.

Answer 3

Legally, you can't do anything. The parents can file statutory rape your cousin can't legally consent until she is 16, but all he will get is a slap on the wrist and told not to go around her until she is of age. He might catch a judge on the wrong day and maybe forced to register as a sex offender. All that would do is anger your cousin. CPS will not do anything because it is not their place to.

Answer 4

Just a clairification. In the US, many states have what is called Child Protective Services, and that is what the previous poster (not noting that this was a UK question), was referring to by CPS.

Answer 5

These things don't usually get prosecuted, except once in a while, almost at random. Theoretically if the guy is ten years old and an underage girl drags him into bed, it's statutory rape.

Answer 6

a million) i do no longer stay in the united kingdom besides the undeniable fact that it relatively is sixteen the place I stay besides. I accept as true with it, simply by fact the place I stay there are close-in-age exceptions and different situations that steer the regulation far off from punishing little ones who've intercourse, and in direction of punishing sickos who choose for to take income of youthful toddlers. 2) Teenage pregnancies ensue simply by fact of a loss of workmanship and teen invincibility syndrome. They the two do no longer understand powerful education on the thank you to stay away from being pregnant (yet have intercourse besides), or they take the approach of "if we do it basically this as quickly because it is going to likely be ok." Then, if no longer something happens "basically that one time" they anticipate that they might bypass without condom, etc. every time. I additionally think of there are situations the place the child bomb is going off in somebody's innovations, and that they intentionally attempt to get pregnant. 3) all people can strengthen a infant, sixteen or in any different case. you're no longer a bad determine considering which you're sixteen to any extent further than you're a solid determine considering which you're 30. besides the undeniable fact that, usually, the extra youthful you're, the fewer arranged you're for a infant. you're much less arranged emotionally, bodily AND financially. 4) i think of it would possibly be an determination obtainable, simply by fact it relatively is her physique, yet i do no longer think of there might desire to be to any extent further or much less emphasis on it simply by fact of her age.

Answer 7

If the parents are not going to press charges then I really dont think anything can be done about it