Former Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia has called for the age of sexual consent to be lowered from 18 to 16, in line with many EU countries and in reflection of a modern and evolving society.

Speaking during adjournment time yesterday, the new government Whip said Malta is the only EU country where the age of consent is 18. Apart from Cyprus, where the age of consent is 17, all other countries have an age of consent between 14 and 16.

Dr Farrugia said the government has worked hard to address social injustices, including the introduction of Civil Unions, the Gender Identity Bill and giving 16-year-olds the right to vote. However, the age of consent remains a “social wound” that could lead to abuse and heartache.

Dr Farrugia said he recently met a patient, a pregnant 16-year-old girl who is in a relationship with an adult. She did not want to marry at such a young age but would be willing to cohabit with the man, whom she loved. However, because of the current laws, and for fear that her parents could take the man to court, she decided to keep the relationship a secret and said she would not even register the birth of her child. “Is this right? Should our laws change?”

Dr Farrugia said the current structure could lead to abuse and adults can be wrongly accused of forcing minors into a relationship. This also applies for homosexual persons.

The government Whip said society has changed and our laws should keep up. “Many youths under the age of sixteen have already experienced intimate relationships. The number of visits to the Genitourinary (GU) Clinic by youths under the age of 16 is another indicator of this.

He also noted that Children’s Allowance is stopped when children reach the age of sixteen. 16-year-olds are also allowed to marry, have a full-time a job and a bank account. The legal age for drinking is also lower than 18 years. “Do real life and our laws not contradict each other?”

Dr Farrugia said the time has come to keep up with the changing trends and provide soial justice for 16 and 17-year-olds. “Let us change this clause in the law that is causing suffering amongst youths in this age group, as well as their partners.”