Sex and the Law
Age is important when it comes to laws about giving and getting consent for sex. Age of consent is the age a person must be, to give consent to participate in sexual activity. It is a criminal offence to have sex with a person outside the age of consent.
Just because you can give consent, doesn’t mean you have to.
A person in a position of trust and authority includes people such as a teacher, coach, police officer, health care worker, parent or other older family member, foster parent, babysitter, religious leader.
You or your partner | The law says |
---|---|
Under 12 years old | Cannot consent to sexual activity with anyone |
12 or 13 years old | Can consent to someone less than 2 years older (not a person in a position of trust, power, and authority) |
14 or 15 years old | Can consent to someone less than 5 years older (not a person in a position of trust, power, and authority) |
16 years and older | Can consent to someone older (not a person in a position of trust, power, and authority) |
A person in a position of trust, power, and authority – family members, adoptive family, teacher, religious leader, RCMP officer, healthcare worker | Cannot have sexual activity with anyone under 18 |
Under 18 years: anal sex | Consent is illegal, except for married couples. |
If you experience sexual violence, remember it is not your fault. You can get help.
- Health centre, mental health nurse, RCMP, KRPF (Nunavik)
- Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line 1-800-265-3333
- Kidshelpphone.ca 1-800-668-6868
- If you live in Nunavik, click here.