1/25/2024 0 Comments Age of consent in canadaEvidence-based policy analysis has been used over the years to evaluate a variety of health-related laws, including graduated driver licensing ( Fohr, Layde & Guse, 2005 Wiggins, 2006), firearm restrictions, ( Niederkrotenthaler et al, 2009 Shah, Hoffman, Wake & Marine, 2000), tobacco control ( Luke, Stamatakis & Brownson, 2000), helmet laws ( Robinson, 2006 Rodgers, 2002), and sexual health policy ( Joyce, Kaestner & Colman, 2006). Although ideally this takes place before laws or policies are enacted, it is not always possible however, it is just as important to evaluate existing policy based on the best available information. It is important that public policy be grounded in empirical evidence. This study demonstrates the feasibility of evaluating policy using population health data and shows that better strategies are needed to protect children 13 and under from sexual abuse. In their first year of intercourse, 14- and 15-year-olds were slightly more likely to report forced sex and 3 or more partners than older teens, but otherwise made similarly healthy decisions. In contrast, among 12- and 13-year-olds (a group unaffected by the law’s change) between 25% and 50% had first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions, and almost 40% of teens who first had sex before age 12 reported a first partner age 20 years or more. Results showed very few 14- and 15-year-olds had first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions based on age (boys: <2%, girls: 3–5%). Comparisons included: forced sex, sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs, multiple partners, condom use, effective contraception use, self-reported sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy involvement. Using data from sexually experienced adolescents in the 2008 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (BC AHS, N=6,262 age range 12 – 19 52% female), analyses documented the scope of first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions, then compared sexual behaviours of younger teens (14 and 15 years) with older teens (16 and 17) navigating their first year of sexual activity. Government rationales for the increase asserted younger adolescents were more likely to experience sexual exploitation and engage in risky sexual behaviour than adolescents 16 and older. This study evaluated the implications of the 2008 increase in age for sexual consent in Canada using a population health survey of Canadian adolescents.
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