Social services minister Michael McGimpsey said moves to lower the age of consent from 17 to 16 go against the wishes of residents of the province.
"These issues strike at the heart of the values and beliefs of the people of Northern Ireland and as such their representatives should be making these decisions in the Assembly, irrespective of what the arrangements are elsewhere in the UK," he said.
McGimpsey also criticised proposals that would mean anyone having sex with a child under the age of 13 would be charged with rape or sexual assault. He said the age should be set at 14.
The Northern Ireland Office in Westminster introduced the draft Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008.
Minister of state Paul Goggins said: "I am convinced that the changes will offer the people of Northern Ireland a modern legislative framework which will ensure maximum protection from unacceptable sexual activity."
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