Article 29 — Sexual Offences Against Children

1. 1.

   The age of sexual consent is 18, corresponding to the age of majority as defined in Article 9 of the Civil Code.

2. 2.

   Any national who commits any of the following acts commits an offence:

   1. Performing any sexual act with or upon a person under the age of 18.
   2. Soliciting or grooming a person under the age of 18 for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity, including through digital means.
   3. Producing, distributing, possessing, or accessing child sexual abuse material, being any visual, audio, or textual material depicting a person under the age of 18 in a sexual manner.
   4. Causing or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child.
3. 3.

   Close-in-age exception. Where both persons involved are aged 16 or 17, and the act is consensual and non-exploitative, no offence under paragraph 2(1) is committed. This exception does not apply to any conduct described in paragraph 2(2), 2(3), or 2(4).

4. 4.

   An offence under this Article is classified as a grave offence.

5. 5.

   A person convicted of an offence under this Article is liable to the following sanctions, in accordance with Article 10:

   1. A fine not exceeding $500,000.
   2. Public censure.
   3. Permanent exclusion from all State services.
   4. Forfeiture of all materials and proceeds connected with the offence.
   5. Revocation of honours.
6. 6.

   There is no limitation period for offences under this Article, in accordance with Article 14.

7. 7.

   A conviction under this Article constitutes a conviction for “exploitation” within the meaning of Article 13(4)(d) of the Civil Code and bars the convicted person from appointment as guardian.