Professor John Ashton, President of the Faculty of Public Health said we needed to lower the age of sexual consent to 15 and to spark a 'national debate' in order to tackle teenage pregnancy and 'draw a line in the sand' with regards to the law on sex.
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, along with his Deputy, Nick Clegg have been quick to reject Professor Ashton's idea, as it they don't view the move as a successful strategy.
Also amongst those to reject the claims were sexual health support and guidance organisations were The FPA and Brook, who specialise in advising teenagers about sex and related issues.
Audrey Simpson, acting CEO of FPA, has said: "Sexual health charity FPA does not believe the legal age of consent needs to be changed in Britain."
"As it stands the law is not intended to criminalise mutually sexual activity between two young people of similar age and understanding, unless it involves abuse, exploitation or harm. There is no evidence to suggest this principle is not working."
She also reiterated that advice, support and contraception is even available to those under 16, to dismiss misconceptions that this is not the case.
A spokesperson for Brook also stated: "We believe the age of consent should remain at 16, and young people tell us that it supports their negotiations to delay sexual activity and provides them with legal protection. "
"However, we also believe it’s vital that safeguards are in place to ensure young people who engage in consensual sexual activity when they are under 16 are not criminalized, and that under 16s must also have access to confidential contraceptive and sexual health services that they feel confident using."
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, along with his Deputy, Nick Clegg have been quick to reject Professor Ashton's idea, as it they don't view the move as a successful strategy.
Also amongst those to reject the claims were sexual health support and guidance organisations were The FPA and Brook, who specialise in advising teenagers about sex and related issues.
Audrey Simpson, acting CEO of FPA, has said: "Sexual health charity FPA does not believe the legal age of consent needs to be changed in Britain."
"As it stands the law is not intended to criminalise mutually sexual activity between two young people of similar age and understanding, unless it involves abuse, exploitation or harm. There is no evidence to suggest this principle is not working."
She also reiterated that advice, support and contraception is even available to those under 16, to dismiss misconceptions that this is not the case.
A spokesperson for Brook also stated: "We believe the age of consent should remain at 16, and young people tell us that it supports their negotiations to delay sexual activity and provides them with legal protection. "
"However, we also believe it’s vital that safeguards are in place to ensure young people who engage in consensual sexual activity when they are under 16 are not criminalized, and that under 16s must also have access to confidential contraceptive and sexual health services that they feel confident using."
Their statements match the majority of public opinion, which is opposed to the change, as shown by this independent poll (right) and those in the Guardian (56%), Telegraph (65.94%) and Huffington Post (64.94%).
Perhaps more surprisingly, is that in the same independent poll, 46.78% of participants voted in favour of increasing the consensual age to 17, 18 or above.
The main concerns of the general public, from following discussion, were to ensure the young and vulnerable are protected from paedophilia and sexual predators and to stop our high rates of teenage pregnancy.
But with the age of consent not looking like changing any time in the near future, you may rest assured that these issues are being noted and addressed, and that young people are able to seek advice even before they are of age.
Perhaps more surprisingly, is that in the same independent poll, 46.78% of participants voted in favour of increasing the consensual age to 17, 18 or above.
The main concerns of the general public, from following discussion, were to ensure the young and vulnerable are protected from paedophilia and sexual predators and to stop our high rates of teenage pregnancy.
But with the age of consent not looking like changing any time in the near future, you may rest assured that these issues are being noted and addressed, and that young people are able to seek advice even before they are of age.