Can a restrictive law serve a protective purpose? The impact of age-restrictive laws on young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health services

This article explores the purpose, function and impact of legal restrictions imposed on children’s and young people’s involvement in sexual activity and their access to sexual and reproductive health services. Whilst there is no consensus on the age at which it is appropriate or acceptable for children and young people to start having sex, the existence of a minimum legal age for sexual consent is almost universal across national jurisdictions, and many states have imposed legal rules that place restrictions on children’s and young people’s independent access to health services, including sexual health services.
Source: Reproductive Health Matters - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: COMMENTARY Source Type: research