does anyone know the australian laws on having a sexual relationship with a child under 16?

Question

thank you too all for your answers. i had originally placed this question in thw wrong category(marriage/divorces) to which i explained my reasons for asking in more detail. if you are interested could you please read it from that section. my problem is a little more complicated than just having sex with an adult as a minor. it would certainly help me. once again thank you to all.... and to the individual who said about us aussie girls rooting cows?????? cant say i ever have...... were you an aussie in a previous life?.............

p.s my mother didnt have a cow, she just wanted to milk the fella i was involved in

p.s my mother didnt have a cow, she just wanted to milk the fella i was involved in

p.s my mother didnt have a cow, she just wanted to milk the fella i was involved with.

Answer 1

Isn't it amazing what a complete load of rubbish people can give as answers when they have no idea (although some here are correct)? For example, the age of majority has nothing to do with your question - and you can get a lot more than 10 yrs jail for sex with a minor!

The particular law depends on the state you're in but it's illegal to have sex with anyone under 16 regardless of the age of the other person:

Qld: Criminal Code 1899, s.215 Carnal knowledge with or of children under 16 (up to 14yrs in prison, or life if under 12)

NSW: Crimes Act 1900, ss66A to D - it doesn't matter how old the other person is, s.61S

etc.

Check out each state's laws on www.austlii.edu.au

Answer 2

It's illegal if your under 16 in all States. If your a gay male you have to be 18 though.

In regards to the guy who said you can be married at 16... you can't. Any expectation to the 18+ rule must be sanctioned by written consent by parents, and is only allowed if the couple is expecting a child, for religious reasons, or for other extenuating circumstances. The legal system considers 16 year olds as children, and therefore not competent to decide on matters such as their marital status and sexual relationship.

Yeah and the guy who thinks Australians don't care if a 14 year old is sleeping with a 25 year old is mistaken. It's both illegal, and socially unacceptable, but it does happen. The problem rests in prosecuting the older person as if consent is given it's harder to get a conviction, but most are convicted and are either sentenced to prison, or given suspended sentences. There is also a distinction between male and female minors. Society tends to accept girls sleeping with older guys (as it is more prevelant) more than they do younger males sleeping with older females.

Answer 3

The real question is, how old are you?

Without knowing your age, there is no way to answer.

For instance, there is little that can be done if two 16 year olds have sex. However, a 24 year old having sex with a 16 year old can be charged with having sex with a minor in many areas.

So age does matter in the eyes of the law.

Answer 4

In Australia, the age of majority was 21 until 30 November 1973, and 18 thereafter. In Australia, there are several gradations of responsibility before full legal adulthood. Those under age ten are free of all criminal responsibility under the doli incapax doctrine of UK legal tradition. Those under the age of fourteen are presumed incapable of responsibility, but this can be disputed in court. The age of full legal responsibility is 18 except in Queensland and Victoria, where it is 17.

The age of majority is 18 for most purposes including sitting on a jury, voting, standing as a candidate, marriage, hiring R-rated films or seeing them in a theater, buying/viewing pornography and purchasing alcohol and tobacco products

The maximum penalty for having sex with a minor is 10 years' jail.

Answer 5

It's illegal .. ESPECIALLY if it is a person who is a fair bit older than the child.....

OH and to the person who wrote that we wouldn't have a cow if our 14 yr olds hooked up with a 25 year old partner .. Yep you're right, I most certainly wouldn't have a cow .. I'd have a whole bloody dairy!!


I am curious as to know why you want to know

EDIT: are you saying your mother approved of your relationship with a 25 year old male... Holy Bovine.. the courts should have taken you away from her.
Perhaps when you are the parent of a 14 year old HOPEFULLY you will have more concern for your child than your mother did for you .. and HOPEFULLY you will be a far better parent.
It's one thing for a 14 year old to be messing about with a kid close to her own age .... .. BUT for a parent to condone a 25 year old man having sex with their child .. That's almost pimping..
sorry .. but a parent should be protecting their child,

NOW IF YOU weren't saying that .. I appologise to you and your mother .. Tis a little late here.

Answer 6

Also note that anyone who is an American is subject to a federal law concerning relations with minor when abroad. Basiclly you'll be breaking American law if you are an adult US citizen/resident and have sex with someone under 18 even if it's legal in that country.

I post this since a majority of the users reading are from the US.

Answer 7

that's ok. sixteen the age of consent for sexual relatives in the united kingdom. i think of Paedophilia in basic terms pertains to under 13's from 13 to sixteen i've got self assurance that's merely unlawful - intercourse with a minor. in spite of the very incontrovertible fact that to be common i might nevertheless propose castration. you will get married in the united kingdom at sixteen, with your mom and dad permission.

Answer 8

Their laws are dependent upon what part of Aus. you are in.
As a General rule it is unlawful to have sex with a person under 16yrs.

However, from first hand knowledge Australians generally don't have a cow if some 14yr old tart and her 25yr old Boyfriend hook up. Unlike the puritanical U.S., the rest of the world does not view 14-16yr olds as "children", nor do they treat sex as some kind of forbidden, taboo fruit.

Answer 9

Well i dont know how far sex goes but they can be married at 16 down unda.

Answer 10

I'm just gonna go out on a limb and say they frown upon it.