TORONTO, June 22, 2006 –The Kids’ Internet Safety Association (KINSA) congratulated the federal government on reports Justice Minister Vic Toews is preparing to introduce legislation today to raise the age of consent to 16 from 14.

"We applaud this move by the federal government, and commend Prime Minister Harper and Justice Minister Toews for taking such a definitive step in protecting children," said Bill Hutchison, Chairman of KINSA. "This government is demonstrating leadership in addressing a growing problem, in an era where children are increasingly vulnerable to the threat of sexual predators on the Internet."

TORONTO, June 22, 2006 –The Kids’ Internet Safety Association (KINSA) congratulated the federal government on reports Justice Minister Vic Toews is preparing to introduce legislation today to raise the age of consent to 16 from 14.

"We applaud this move by the federal government, and commend Prime Minister Harper and Justice Minister Toews for taking such a definitive step in protecting children," said Bill Hutchison, Chairman of KINSA. "This government is demonstrating leadership in addressing a growing problem, in an era where children are increasingly vulnerable to the threat of sexual predators on the Internet."

"This is an issue of high emotion and high stakes," added KINSA board of directors member Det-Sgt Paul Gillespie (retired). "Getting this law right will require careful consideration of the balance between allowing consensual sexual activity between teenagers and the exploitation of children that law enforcement sees all too often. We cannot have a law that is ambiguous or leaves the law open to wide interpretation. On the other hand, police should not be overseeing the personal choices of teenagers."

Recently, KINSA developed a policy paper that calls for the creation of an Age of Protection. Such a legal mechanism would prohibit sexual contact with 14 or 15 year olds if the sexual partner is more than 5 years older.
Our proposal would:

1. Retain the current provisions that protect children thirteen and under.


2. Recognize that recent studies have pointed to 14 and 15 year olds as those most likely to be victimized by adult sexual predators in internet luring situations;


3. Recognize that 14 and 15 year olds have a right to pursue their awakening sexual development, but that that development should take place in the safety of a social environment limited to their peers in age;


4. Make it clear that consensual sexual activity with 14 and 15 year olds is lawful only if there is no exploitation, there is no abuse of power trust or authority and the 14 or 15 year old's sexual partner is no more than five years older;


5. Not change the current law applicable to 16 and 17 year olds. The current law says that 16 and 17 year olds can have consensual sexual relations with persons of any age, as long as those relationships involve no exploitation, or abuse of power, trust or authority.

Legal mechanisms such as this are only one part of the arsenal in protecting children from sexual exploitation. The most important tools are the lessons and support of loving parents who educate their children about sexuality and the dangers of those who would exploit our children.

KINSA is dedicated to the elimination of online sexual exploitation of children and youth through advocacy, awareness, training and research. KINSA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization with expertise in law enforcement, prosecution, business and technology.

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For more information or to arrange a media interview, please contact

Corinne Smirle

Media Relations

ph: 416.203.3913

cell: 416.457.2402

corinne_media[_at_]hotmail[_dOt]com

www.kinsa.net

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