Ages of Consent in South America - Colombia

Colombia

The minimum age of consent in Colombia is 14 regardless of gender and/or sexual orientation. However sexual acts with children aged between 14 and 18 can be prosecuted as Estupro, under the Article 301 - Acceso carnal mediante engaño and Article 302 - Acto sexual mediante engaño if consent is obtained through "deceit" ("engaño").

The age of consent of 14 is determined by Article 208 of the Colombian Penal Code, Law 599 of 2000 (source), which reads: “Article 208 – Abusive 'carnal access' of minors under 14 – He who has carnal access with a person under 14 years old, will be placed in prison for 12 (twelf) to 20 (twenty) years”. The definition of “carnal access” (acceso carnal) is later given in Article 212, and refers basically to vaginal, anal or oral sex, but also includes the penetration of the vagina or of the anus by another part of the human body or by an object.

Additionally, Article 209 refers to sexual acts with minors under 14, other than the aforementioned "carnal access", and to sexual acts witnessed by this minor as well. Finally, it covers also the act of someone inducing this minor to sexual practices. The penalty foreseen by this article is 9 to 13 years in prison.

Article 211 details circumstances in which penalties are aggravated, from one third to one half of extra time in prison, for any of the previous articles: (a) if there are multiple offenders; (b) if the offender is in position of authority over the victim or takes advantage of a condition of trust; (c) if a sexually transmitted disease is transmitted; (d) if the victim is under 12; (e) if the offender is husband or wife of the victim, or if they live together, or if the offender and the victim had a son or daughter together; (f) if the act results in pregnancy.

Read more about this topic:  Ages Of Consent In South America