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Sex law supported despite worries Sex law supported despite worries
(20 minutes later)
Holyrood's justice committee has expressed concern at plans to criminalise girls having sex under the age of 16.Holyrood's justice committee has expressed concern at plans to criminalise girls having sex under the age of 16.
Boys aged 13 to 15 who engage in consensual sex with girls of the same age can be prosecuted - but it is rare.Boys aged 13 to 15 who engage in consensual sex with girls of the same age can be prosecuted - but it is rare.
Holyrood's justice committee said it had "difficulty" with proposals to treat young teenage girls the same way.Holyrood's justice committee said it had "difficulty" with proposals to treat young teenage girls the same way.
But MSPs still gave initial backing to the Sexual Offences Bill, which will bring in a range of measures.But MSPs still gave initial backing to the Sexual Offences Bill, which will bring in a range of measures.
The legislation, which still needs the approval of the full parliament before becoming law, also aims to define rape more clearly and include the so-called offence of date rape. The legislation, which still needs the approval of the full parliament before becoming law, also aims to define rape more clearly and include the offence of "date rape".
We are keen to consider with the parliament any ways in which the legislation can be improved Scottish Government spokesman
The cross-party committee agreed with the principles of the bill and strongly supported keeping the age of consent at 16.The cross-party committee agreed with the principles of the bill and strongly supported keeping the age of consent at 16.
But convener Bill Aitken, Tory MSP for Glasgow, said more clarification from the government was needed.But convener Bill Aitken, Tory MSP for Glasgow, said more clarification from the government was needed.
He added: "We have a difficulty with the proposal that the law should criminalise underage girls who run the risk of becoming pregnant, with all the legal implications that might follow.He added: "We have a difficulty with the proposal that the law should criminalise underage girls who run the risk of becoming pregnant, with all the legal implications that might follow.
"These matters are of course for the discretion of the lord advocate but we generally favour a welfare approach though the Children's Hearing System for all cases of underage consensual sexual activity.""These matters are of course for the discretion of the lord advocate but we generally favour a welfare approach though the Children's Hearing System for all cases of underage consensual sexual activity."
The committee also supported the creation of a new statutory offence of rape with an object.The committee also supported the creation of a new statutory offence of rape with an object.
Ministers agreed to carefully consider the recommendations of the committee, which has taken evidence from a range of groups on the legislation.
"We should recognise that all those organisations were contributing and share our aim of seeking the most effective law for Scotland as a community," said a Scottish Government spokesman.
"We are keen to consider with the parliament any ways in which the legislation can be improved and to ensure the bill produces what we all want - a modern, effective legal framework for sexual offences in Scotland."