It is a BIG Deal
Age of Protection
3 minutes
QUIZ
Test your knowledge!
1. A person under the age of 12 can consent to sexual activity depending on the age of the other person.
A child under 12 years old cannot consent to sexual activity.
2. A 13-year-old can consent to sexual activity with a person who is 16.
If a youth is 13 years old, the age difference between them and the other person must be less than two years. Because the age difference in this case is 3 years, they cannot consent.
3. Once a person turns 16 they can always consent to sexual activity.
At 16 a person can generally consent to sexual activity, but there are still certain exceptions. Remember – if the other person is in a position of trust or authority, if the youth is dependent on the other person in some way, or if the relationship is exploitative of the youth, then the age to consent rises to 18.
4. An employer, a coach, a teacher and a family member are all examples of people who could be in a position of trust or authority over a young person.
All of these are examples of people in a position of trust or authority.
5. The oldest person a 14-year-old can consent to sexual activity with is a 20-year-old.
At 14, the age difference between the youth and the other person must be less than 5 years, so the oldest person a 14-year-old can consent to sexual activity with is someone who is 19.
6. A person who is 16 can consent to sexual activity with their boss at work.
A 16-year-old cannot consent to sexual activity with a person who is in a position of trust or authority over them, like their boss.
Need to talk to someone?
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NeedHelpNow.ca
Help for youth who have been negatively impacted by the sharing of their intimate/sexual image.
Cybertip.ca
Report concerns about shared intimate images, sexual chat, and other areas involving child/youth victimization online.
Kids Help Phone
Free, 24/7, private support.
kidshelpphone.ca | 1-800-668-6868 | Text 686868