Sex and the law

Heard of the age of consent? Here's what it means to you.

• According to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, it is a criminal offence for any kind of sexual activity to take place between two people where one or both participants is under 16.

• The law applies to men, women, gay, lesbian or straight in England and Wales and also extends to Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the same law applies except the age of consent is 17.

• Technically, this can outlaw an intimate act like snogging if one or both of you is under age. However, the Government has stressed that the law is intended to protect children from abuse by adult sexual predators, and is not intended to be used to prosecute consensual teenage sexual behaviour.

• If you're under the age of consent and choose to have sex with someone over the age of consent, this is seen as a crime and they could be charged with 'statutory rape'.

• It remains to be seen if and how the law might be tested. Whatever your view, have your say in the sex forum on TheSite.org's discussion boards.