PMC Canada Author Manuscript
PubMed Central CANADA Author Manuscript / Manuscrit d'auteur Can J Hum Sex. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 April 13. Published in final edited form as: Can J Hum Sex. 2010 ; 19(3): 105–117.
Age of Sexual Consent Law in Canada: Population-Based Evidence for Law and Policy Bonnie B. Miller, B.A.(Hons.)1,2, David N. Cox, PhD1, and Elizabeth M. Saewyc, PhD, RN2,3 1Department 2School
of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby B.C
of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C
3McCreary
Centre Society, Vancouver B.C
Abstract PMC Canada Author Manuscript PMC Canada Author Manuscript
This study evaluated the implications of the 2008 increase in age for sexual consent in Canada using a population health survey of Canadian adolescents. Government rationales for the increase asserted younger adolescents were more likely to experience sexual exploitation and engage in risky sexual behaviour than adolescents 16 and older. Using data from sexually experienced adolescents in the 2008 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (BC AHS, N=6,262; age range 12 – 19; 52% female), analyses documented the scope of first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions, then compared sexual behaviours of younger teens (14 and 15 years) with older teens (16 and 17) navigating their first year of sexual activity. Comparisons included: forced sex, sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs, multiple partners, condom use, effective contraception use, self-reported sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy involvement. Results showed very few 14- and 15-year-olds had first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions based on age (boys:
PubMed Central CANADA Author Manuscript / Manuscrit d'auteur Can J Hum Sex. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 April 13. Published in final edited form as: Can J Hum Sex. 2010 ; 19(3): 105–117.
Age of Sexual Consent Law in Canada: Population-Based Evidence for Law and Policy Bonnie B. Miller, B.A.(Hons.)1,2, David N. Cox, PhD1, and Elizabeth M. Saewyc, PhD, RN2,3 1Department 2School
of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby B.C
of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C
3McCreary
Centre Society, Vancouver B.C
Abstract PMC Canada Author Manuscript PMC Canada Author Manuscript
This study evaluated the implications of the 2008 increase in age for sexual consent in Canada using a population health survey of Canadian adolescents. Government rationales for the increase asserted younger adolescents were more likely to experience sexual exploitation and engage in risky sexual behaviour than adolescents 16 and older. Using data from sexually experienced adolescents in the 2008 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (BC AHS, N=6,262; age range 12 – 19; 52% female), analyses documented the scope of first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions, then compared sexual behaviours of younger teens (14 and 15 years) with older teens (16 and 17) navigating their first year of sexual activity. Comparisons included: forced sex, sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs, multiple partners, condom use, effective contraception use, self-reported sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy involvement. Results showed very few 14- and 15-year-olds had first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions based on age (boys:
