If you read the link, which seems more recent, you get this:
The Act makes three changes to the law on sexual offences. First, it reduces the minimum age at which a person, whether male or female, may lawfully consent to buggery (an offence which does not exist in Scotland) and certain homosexual acts. This reduction is from 18 to 16 in England and Wales and Scotland, and from 18 to 17 in Northern Ireland. This equalises the age of consent for sexual activity so that it is the same for male homosexuals as for heterosexuals and lesbians ie 16 in England, Wales and Scotland and 17 in Northern Ireland. Second, in all jurisdictions, a person under the age of consent no longer commits an offence themselves if they engage in buggery (not Scotland) or certain homosexual acts with a person over the age of consent.
Also interesting is that they have a "position of trust" thingy which means that if you're over 18 and in a position of trust over someone who's 17, you're a sex offender. Does the US have anything like that?
The info I'd read must have been out of date then... it seemed to indicate that over 20s and under 18s would involve criminal prosecution of the older party.
Ah. Well, I can't say the world doesn't need more duelling magicians. The more the merrier.
Well,
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell has been optioned as a film, so wishes just may be horses in this case. Of course, if "The Prestige" really takes off, a movie about dueling magicians who use real magic a couple years later (set a hundred years earlier) may cause some amusing confusion for audiences.
The info I'd read must have been out of date then.
Unless something changed and changed back between the 80s and now, it was very out of date.
Also interesting is that they have a "position of trust" thingy which means that if you're over 18 and in a position of trust over someone who's 17, you're a sex offender. Does the US have anything like that?
I don't know, I've never heard of it. But some states have laws where statutory rape depends on the age difference between the parties; narrowing that crime to one where the older person has influence over the younger makes sense. And there are similar laws where your legal position depends on whether you're in a position of influence. Like if you receive a dispensation in a will-- I don't remember what exactly happens.
Even if 16 + 23 = jail time, wouldn't they have to prove that they're actually having Teh Sex? I mean, I know it may be uncommon and all, but I imagine people could still be in a sex-free relationship. Or does snogging count as sexual activity?
This is the one about the dueling turn of the century magicians, right? I think we can expect to see both Bale and Jackman in tuxedos here.
We can only hope.
The Prestige
is a very nifty, if odd, book. I need to dig out my copy and re-read it. When Pete told me about the Bowie casting, he paused and said "Bowie and Bale in the same movie. I'm going to have to peel you off the screen, aren't I?"
Who wrote
The Prestige
? I've never heard of it, but clearly I must read it.
