Surrounding Data
As the topic of sexual consent does easily create opinion across the majority of the population, an effective method of displaying response is using charts and graphs, which can easily be spread using social media and alongside news articles. These will quickly attempt to display the consensus of public belief and give a good representation of feedback on the national debate Professor Ashton called for.
The results below are from a poll I created on Surveymonkey, which was shared on Facebook, Twitter, discussion and comment forums around this topic and on discussion site, The Student Room. Results of the survey show primarily the response of the younger age categories, due to some of the methods of sharing the survey; therefore representing those who are approaching or recently passed the current age of consent. The survey is still live in order to continue generating response, although the response as of 15th November 2013 is shown below:
The results below are from a poll I created on Surveymonkey, which was shared on Facebook, Twitter, discussion and comment forums around this topic and on discussion site, The Student Room. Results of the survey show primarily the response of the younger age categories, due to some of the methods of sharing the survey; therefore representing those who are approaching or recently passed the current age of consent. The survey is still live in order to continue generating response, although the response as of 15th November 2013 is shown below:
Respond to this survey
From the sample of 83 who answered the question anonymously, an overwhelming majority of 79.52% felt the age should not be lowered to 15 years old, with further questions being asked to generate comment on answers and to allow for people to be more specific with the age of consent they feel should be in place.
The second multiple choice question allows a breakdown of these opinions, with the option to select which ever age seems most suitable to the participant.
From the sample of 83 who answered the question anonymously, an overwhelming majority of 79.52% felt the age should not be lowered to 15 years old, with further questions being asked to generate comment on answers and to allow for people to be more specific with the age of consent they feel should be in place.
The second multiple choice question allows a breakdown of these opinions, with the option to select which ever age seems most suitable to the participant.
The most popular option of 16 (37.35% of 83 participants), coincides with the current age of consent, showing strong opinion that the current age is suitable. However, from this data, it can be seen that 46.78% of people believe that the age of consent should be in fact increased to 17, 18 or above; this opinion is the reverse of the initial intention of the debate.
Whilst the validity of these results may be questioned, it is useful to take into account these views when considering the wider debate in question. As there was no public plea from an expert to increase the age, it is important to note this broader range of views and the fact that people have taken this stance.
Further internet polls which exist to find opinion on this debate, which are attached to related articles on popular news websites, also fit the correlation of my survey. Below are polls which were shared on Twitter from The Guardian, Telegraph and Huffington Post articles, which can be used to be demonstrate a wider public opinion.
^As shown on the Telegraph's article, 'Sexual consent age should be lowered to 15 says government advisor'. |
^A finished poll which answers the question: "Do you think the age of consent should be lowered?" Found on an article in The Guardian, 'Should the age of consent be lowered to 15?' A quick poll embedded to the Huffington Post UK's article, ''Age Of Consent Should Be Lowered To 15, Says Professor John Ashton, David Cameron Says No'. |
An additional perspective to consider with the whole debate, also stated by Professor Ashton, is how the United Kingdom compares with its European counterparts. Figures across the continent vary from 14 to 18 years old, following Spain's recent decision to increase consensual age from 13 to 16. Comparisons are often made between European nations, with particular regulations amongst those in the EU for some aspects, although not the case here. So how exactly does our consent age differ from our neighbours?
Using data on the age of sexual consent for these countries, the geo map generated by Tableau shows the colour coded cross-section of Europe by age they allow sex. There are no particular trends moving across Europe, but the map can act as a visual to easily compare the UK law with any other nation.