The sexual offences bill, which is due to get a second reading at the House of Commons on 8 July, has been designed to strengthen protection of children and young people against abuse. However, children's rights and sexual health organisations fear it may leave underage teenagers, who engage in mutually consensual sexual exploration with each other, in danger of prosecution.
Children's counselling service ChildLine's head of policy, Dr Ute Navidi, says: "We're concerned that the bill, while protecting children from abuse, will criminalise everyday behaviour."
Deborah Jack, head of policy and development for young people's sexual health advice service Brook, agrees: "We would like to see the bill amended so consensual sexual touching between young people of a similar age - not including penetration - is not defined as an offence. Our worry is that young people will become reluctant to discuss these activities and to seek advice on safe sex. Also, if there is no distinction between sexual touching and full penetrative sex, young people may be more willing to experiment with early penetrative sex."
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