In Ireland, you must be 17 years of age or older to be able to give legal consent to engaging in sexual acts with people of the same sex or a different sex

What is the “Age of Consent”?

What the law states says you have to feel 17 decades otherwise old being accept engaging in intimate serves. The age of concur was 17 whether the individual you’re entering the intimate operate that have, are of the identical gender otherwise a separate intercourse.

• Sexual intercourse (vaginal otherwise anal)
• Entrance of your anus otherwise mouth area by knob
• Penetration of genitals of the a keen object’

The thing that makes here a legal chronilogical age of concur?

What the law states will there be to guard young people. here Additionally, it will stop older people from capitalizing on younger anybody. It’s a crime to engage in a sexual act that have somebody who has not yet hit age 17. What the law states connection intercourse having an individual who is around fifteen much more undoubtedly and charges because of it offense are deeper.

Is it a crime for two young adults to take part in an intimate operate?

Regardless of if purely speaking it is a criminal activity, discover what is known as ‘distance out of age’ defence or even the ‘Romeo and you will Juliet’ protection*. This might use where in fact the person that has had sex having someone anywhere between fifteen and 17 years of age, try often younger than just him or her or below 24 months more mature. So, including, if you find yourself 18 together with other person are sixteen, or you was each other 16, it may not be considered a crime however, only when you one another consented freely to take part in the fresh new work and you may neither out of you sensed rooked otherwise intimidated.

It really is essential each other understand the characteristics from the fresh operate which neither of you become pressurised in almost any ways.

The law in this field was tricky; don’t assume all protection would-be recognized because hinges on the specific circumstances of your instance. While you are accused of having intercourse having a person who are within the age 17 then chances are you is always to consult with an adult that you believe and possess seek legal advice.

*Brand new unlawful rules acknowledge that there will likely be certain matters or items which are elevated due to the fact a protection so you can a criminal activity. A profitable defence you’ll imply that zero criminal proceedings is lead otherwise men could be found simple or an effective reduced sentence are given.

Yes, it is judge on how best to pick condoms any kind of time age. Having fun with condoms precisely and every day will certainly reduce the risk of STIs (Intimately Transmitted Infections) and unexpected pregnancy.

Is it possible you obtain the pill, and other contraception, off a health care professional whenever you are around 17?

If you are thinking about stepping into a sexual act hence keeps a risk of causing pregnancy, it’s important to explore among the many variations out of birth prevention to safeguard yourself and the other person away from an unplanned maternity.

Physicians can ascertain the court age to have sexual concur is 17. But if you’re close in ages (only about 2 yrs apart) ,one another is actually old fifteen or sixteen and you also do maybe not become pressurised otherwise intimidated on one thing, then this really is something that you would be to check with your physician.

When you find yourself below sixteen, a doctor will you prefer your mother and father to consent to very medical procedures or prescriptions. If you fail to talk about your need for contraception which have a dad otherwise court guardian then you definitely would be to define that it with the doctor and mention your particular points having them.