The age of sexual consent in Northern Ireland is to be reduced to 16 to bring it in line with the rest of the United Kingdom, it was announced today.
Draft legislation intends to make the change by next Spring. It will also strengthen protection for children and the vulnerable and make "kerb-crawling" an offence.
The North has been out of step with the rest of Britain on the age of sexual consent since 1950 when a former Stormont Government increased the age to 17.
Minister for Criminal Justice Paul Goggins said there was no compelling reason for the age to be different in Northern Ireland than elsewhere.
"Government is not saying 16 is the right age all young people should engage in sexual activity - but defining the age below which it is illegal," he said.
Mr Goggins said the legislation - due to be enacted by the Spring of next year after a 60-day consultation period - would modernise offences and remove antiquated laws.
PA