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.