The case of a man who considers himself an ephebophile, who had sex with a 15-year-old student at the age of 39, stirred up the Hungarian public, and the issue of the age of consent was immediately discussed. In connection with this, the Szent István Institute collected how the regulations are developing in other countries.
In Hungary, according to the Penal Code, the absolute age limit is 12 years, the age of consent is 14 years. The crime of sexual abuse can only be committed by a person over the age of 18, but in the case of a person under the age of 12, sexual violence (criminal) is definitely committed, regardless of consent and the age of the other party. However, in the case of persons between 12 and 14 years of age, no crime is committed if the other party has not yet reached the age of 18. At the same time, the sexual cohabitation of a young person between the ages of 14 and 18 and a person over the age of 18 is punishable if the latter has abused his power or influence in relation to the former.
In Europe, the lowest age of consent is 14, while the highest is 18:
The age limit is 14 in 14 countries (Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Liechtenstein, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Germany, Portugal, Italy, San Marino, Serbia);
The age limit is 15 in 12 countries (Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Croatia, Iceland, Poland, Monaco, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia);
The age limit is 16 in 20 countries (Azerbaijan, Andorra, Northern Cyprus, Belgium, United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Finland, Belarus, Georgia, Netherlands, Moldova, Norway, Russia, Armenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine) ;
The age limit is 17 in Cyprus and Ireland;
18 is the age limit in Malta, Turkey and the Vatican.
Apart from Hungary, only eight countries (Austria, Greece, Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, Romania, Switzerland, Sweden) have introduced an exception rule ( see here
In the rest of the world, the regulations are quite mixed, with the age of consent ranging from 11 to 21: 11 in Nigeria, 12 in the Philippines, 20 in South Korea, and 21 in Bahrain.
In the United States and Asia, it is typically between 16 and 18 years, in Europe between 14 and 18 years, while in Africa both extremes occur. In some countries there are no age limits, but all sex outside of marriage is legally prohibited - typically in Islamic countries. For example, in Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Yemen, Qatar or Saudi Arabia.
Source: Origo/Facebook
Civilians Info: It is clear that the LGBTQ and pseudo-civilian activist who disfigured the 15-year-old boy abused his position of power, so - although the decision is up to the court - he presumably committed a crime. Moreover, a shocking and outrageous act. Obviously, the legislature should review how to make it clearer and yes(!) further tighten the BTK regarding sexual relations between adults and children. I see that an adult is definitely in a position of power over a child, whether there is consent or not. An adult already has rights, competences, and existential possibilities, which can certainly mean power over a young person under 18 years of age. Thus, the possibility of abuse of power is realized not only with the immediate superior position, but also with adulthood itself. This should be considered by legislators for the peace and moral security of our children.
Source: vasarnap.hu
Featured image: Shutterstock
