The legal framework
The Sexual Offences Act 2006 sets 18 and creates a comprehensive set of offences, including gang rape and deliberate transmission of HIV. Courts have debated the harshness of mandatory minimum sentences in adolescent relationship cases. Gender-based violence recovery centres in major hospitals provide free treatment, including post-exposure prophylaxis.
Key points
| Age of consent | 18 |
|---|---|
| Definition | Set out in dedicated sexual offences legislation |
| Marital rape | Criminalised in some of these jurisdictions and not in others — check the national position |
| Medical care | Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV must begin within 72 hours |
| Forensic evidence | Best collected within 72 hours, before washing or changing clothes if possible |
| Support | One-stop centres combine medical, police and counselling services |
| Sexual Offences Act 2006 | Comprehensive, with mandatory minimum sentences |
| Age of consent 18 | One of the highest thresholds, with no close-in-age exception |
| Post-rape care | Free at public facilities, including prophylaxis |
In practice
- Report to the police at any station; you do not have to decide immediately whether to pursue a prosecution.
- A forensic medical examination can usually be carried out and stored before any decision to report.
- Specialist support services can attend with you and explain each step.
- Ask for written confirmation of any examination and of the report reference.
- Go to a public facility for the post-rape care form and free treatment.
- Report to a gender desk at the police station and keep the OB number.
Recent changes
The regional trend is towards one-stop centres, which have measurably improved both survivor experience and evidence quality compared with separate police and hospital processes.
Where to go
- One-stop centres and gender-based violence recovery units in public hospitals.
- Police units specialising in sexual and gender-based violence.
- National helplines and women's rights organisations providing legal accompaniment.
Worth knowing
Go to a hospital first, ideally within 72 hours: that window covers both HIV prophylaxis and forensic evidence. Reporting to the police can follow afterwards. The age of consent is 18 with no close-in-age exception, which means consensual relationships between teenagers fall within the offence.
Official sources and links
- eCitizen — official government services portal