Ages of Consent in Oceania - Tonga

Tonga

The age of consent is 16. A girl under the age of 16 cannot legally consent to acts that would constitute indecent assault, but for her consent (section 124): Indecent assault. 124. (2) A girl under the age of 16 years cannot in law give any consent, which would prevent an act being an indecent assault for the purposes of this section. (Inserted by Act 9 of 1987.) Indecent assault on any child under the age of 12 is an offence attracting a harsher penalty, and consent of the victim is no defense (section 125). Sodomy is illegal at any age (section 136). Carnal knowledge of a girl under 12 also carries a harsher penalty of life imprisonment (section 120) and it is no defence to believe she consented (section 122).

It should be noted, also, that section 126 prohibits procuring a woman under 21 to have unlawful carnal connection.

Read more about this topic:  Ages Of Consent In Oceania