Non-violent sexual contact with persons under the age of consent may be punished with varying degrees of severity, ranging from a misdemeanor with a simple fine, to a felony with a punishment equivalent to rape.ĭifferent ages may apply if one partner is in a position of power or authority over the other, such as a teacher, manager, coach, parent or stepparent. Persons below the age of consent may not, by law, give consent, and sexual relations involving such persons may be punished by criminal sanctions similar to those for rape or sexual assault. Both partners must be of legal age to give consent, although exceptions to the age of consent law exist in some jurisdictions when the minor and their partner are within a certain number of years in age or when a minor is married to his/her partner. The age of consent is the age at or above which a person is considered to have the legal capacity to consent to sexual activity. 9.1 History of the Canadian age of consent.8 Bermuda and British Virgin Islands (United Kingdom).
