The Home Office has issued new guidance to asylum seekers in the form of a nine-page booklet, telling them that "men and women are equal" in the UK and that sex with children is illegal.
The leaflet informs new arrivals that women "can work, study, travel and make their own choices" and that "women do not need permission from a husband, father, brother or any other man to do any of these things."
The guidance also details what constitutes rape under UK law, stating: "Consent is needed in every situation. This means even if you are married or in a relationship with someone, they must consent to sex every time."
Legal Consequences of Non-Consensual Sex
The booklet warns: "If you have sex with someone without their consent, this is called rape. Rape is a serious crime in the UK. You could go to prison, lose your support and accommodation, and it will affect your asylum claim."
It also addresses the legal age of consent, stating: "The legal age of consent in the UK is 16. This means that anyone under the age of 16 is considered a child and cannot legally agree to have sex. Sex with someone under the age of 16 is a serious crime in the UK. There are no exceptions to this rule. Even if they say yes, it is still illegal. You could go to prison, lose your support and accommodation, and it will affect your asylum claim."
Guidance on Public Behaviour and Domestic Abuse
Immigration chiefs warn that asylum seekers must not make sexual comments in public or follow people. Officials declare: "It is illegal to hurt, threaten or control your partner or family."
The pamphlet adds: "We understand that coming to a new country can be difficult, and that laws and customs here may be different from your home country. In the UK, there are laws that protect everyone's safety, dignity and rights. It is important that you understand them, because not following UK law can have serious consequences."
Guidance published in the booklet also notes: "Someone can change their mind at any time, even if they said yes before, if someone is asleep, drunk, or unable to respond, they cannot consent."
Background and Purpose
The resources were produced for asylum seekers so there can be "no possible misunderstanding" of what is expected under UK law, it is reported. The move follows several high-profile cases in which migrants convicted of sexual offences in the UK claimed in court to not understand the law.
