wfn.org | Churches support peers in age of consent battle

["EAUK Press Office" <press@eauk.org>]

For Immediate Release: 22nd July 1998

Churches support peers in age of consent battle

The Evangelical Alliance UK today expressed support for peers
seeking to overturn the Commons' amendment to the Crime &
Disorder Bill which would lower the age of consent for
homo-erotic practices to 16.

The umbrella body representing over one million Christians in 30
denominations, said gay sex at 16 was already decriminalised in
practice as prosecutions are becoming increasingly rare.

Home Office figures show that there were 11 prosecutions for
underage homo-erotic activity in 1996, compared to 85 in 1992.  

Martyn Eden, public affairs director for the Alliance said today:
"The government's figures remove any credibility from the
assertion that a reduction would significantly serve to
decriminalise young people.  Our objection to a lower age of
consent for homosexuals has nothing to do with a desire to see
young people jailed.

"Any reduction in the age of consent sends a signal to all young
people that is acceptable to experiment sexually at whatever age
you want.  Our ideal is that sexual activity belongs within the
confines of life-long monogamous heterosexual marriage.  We are
looking to the House of Lords to uphold this ideal.  To lower the
age of consent would help to push society further down the path
of moral confusion."

Together with CARE and the Christian Institute, the Evangelical
Alliance has been lobbying to overturn the House of Commons'
vote. ENDS

Note: Martyn Eden is available for interview.  Contact Gavin
Drake on 0171-207 2117 or Keith Ewing on 0171-207 2116 for more
information or to request an interview.