Donna Valdez, 15, carries her child at a health centre in Manila. Photo: AFP
Donna Valdez, 15, carries her child at a health centre in Manila. Photo: AFP

Philippines poised to lift age of consent for sex from 12 to 16 after decades of lobbying from children’s rights activists

  • Campaigners say the legislation would help protect youngsters in a nation that has become a global hotspot for online child sex abuse
  • Prosecuting adult perpetrators in rape cases involving children as young as 12 has been difficult because they can argue the sex was consensual

Donna Valdez, 15, carries her child at a health centre in Manila. Photo: AFP
Donna Valdez, 15, carries her child at a health centre in Manila. Photo: AFP
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