Ages of Consent in South America - Ecuador

Ecuador

The minimum age of consent in Ecuador is 14, regardless of gender and/or sexual orientation. However, sexual acts with children aged between 14 and 18 can still be prosecuted. A person who uses "seduction or deception" to gain the consent of an underage girl can be prosecuted under the Estupro law; when consent is obtained through exploitative means the act can be prosecuted under the Childhood and Adolescence Code of 2003- Article 68.

The age of consent of 14 is defined by the Ecuatorian Penal Code, article 512, item 1, for the crime of statutory rape (violación), and also by article 506 for the crime of indecent assault (atentado contra el pudor) without violence or threats. Sexual intercourse with a child younger than 14 is considered rape, regardless of circumstances:

Art. 512.- Violación es el acceso carnal, con introducción parcial o total del miembro viril, por vía vaginal, anal o bucal, con personas de uno u otro sexo, en los siguientes casos:

1.- Cuando la víctima fuere menor de catorce años;

2.- Cuando la persona ofendida se hallare privada de la razón o del sentido, o cuando por enfermedad o por cualquier otra causa no pudiera resistirse; y,

3.- Cuando se usare de violencia, amenaza o de intimidación

(Approximate translation:) Article 512 .- Rape is sexual intercourse with the partial or total introduction of the penis in the vagina, anus or mouth of people of either sex, in the following circumstances:

1 .- When the victim is under fourteen;

2 .- If the victim is found to be deprived of reason or judgment, or when they could not resist due to illness;

3 .- When using violence, threats or intimidation

There is also a clause about corruption of minors (articles 509 and 510 of the Penal Code), for a crime called “estupro”, which applies specifically when consent to sexual relations with female adolescents between 14 and 18 is obtained by the means of seduction or deceit. The adolescent, however, must fit the definition of “honest woman” for the crime to be applied.

Article 509 reads:

Art. 509.- Llámase estupro la cópula con una mujer honesta, empleando la seducción o engaño para alcanzar su consentimiento.

(Approximate translation:) Article 509:- Estupro is intercourse with an honest woman, using seduction or deception to achieve her consent.

Moreover, the Childhood and Adolescence Code of 2003, in its Article 68, have broadened the definition of sexual abuse of minors to include any physical contact or suggestion of sexual nature obtained through seduction, blackmail, harassment, deceit, threat or similar means.