Asylum seekers given ‘intercourse and consent’ steering in UK ‘expectations’ leaflet
The Home Office has issued new guidance to asylum seekers telling them “women can work, study, travel and make their own choices” and “laws and customs here may be different from your home country”
Leaflets are giving asylum seekers advice from on British values(Image: SNMS Berck sur Mer/AFP via Getty Images)
Asylum seekers are being told “men and women are equal” in the UK – and that sex with children is illegal. A nine-page booklet tells new arrivals to the UK that women “can work, study, travel and make their own choices”.
The Home Office guidance says: “Women do not need permission from a husband, father, brother or any other man to do any of these things.”
And the pamphlet, which is given to Asylum Seekers, also details what rape is under UK law, saying: “Consent is needed in every situation. This means even if you are married or in a relationship with someone, they must consent to sex every time.
Asylum seekers given ‘sex and consent’ guidance in UK ‘expectations’ leaflet(Image: GOV.UK)
“If you have sex with someone without their consent, this is called rape. Rape is a serious crime in the UK. You could go to prison, lose your support and accommodation, and it will affect your asylum claim.”
It also informs asylum seekers not to have sex with children. It reads: “The legal age of consent in the UK is 16. This means that anyone under the age of 16 is considered a child and cannot legally agree to have sex.
“Sex with someone under the age of 16 is a serious crime in the UK. There are no exceptions to this rule. Even if they say yes, it is still illegal. You could go to prison, lose your support and accommodation, and it will affect your asylum claim.”
The pamphlet tells asylum seekers “laws and customs here may be different from your home country”(Image: GOV.UK)
Immigration chiefs warn that Asylum Seekers must not make sexual comments in public or follow people. And officials declare “it is illegal to hurt, threaten or control your partner or family”.
They added: “We understand that coming to a new country can be difficult, and that laws and customs here may be different from your home country.
“In the UK, there are laws that protect everyone’s safety, dignity and rights. It is important that you understand them, because not following UK law can have serious consequences.”
A page tells newcomers that sex with children is illegal(Image: GOV.UK)
Guidance published in the booklet adds: “Someone can change their mind at any time, even if they said yes before, if someone is asleep, drunk, or unable to respond, they cannot consent.”
The resources were produced for Asylum Seekers so there can be “no possible misunderstanding” of what is expected under UK law, it is reported.
It follows several high profile cases in which migrants convicted of sexual offences in the UK claimed in court to not understand the law.
