97.This Part of the Act raises the age of a child against whom the offence of indecency with a child can be committed to include children up to 16. This closes a loophole in the law and should improve the protection of children against those who abuse them. A similar amendment is made to the Children and Young Person’s Act (Northern Ireland) 1968, although there a child up to 17 is protected to reflect their higher age of consent.
Commentary on Sections Part II: Protection of Children Sections 39 and 40: Indecency with Children Act 1960