"ROMEO AND JULIET LAW" AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN THE CRIMINAL LAW OF UKRAINE: AN INVITATION TO DISCUSSION

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the work is to analyze the specifics of the criminal liability of persons for acts of a sexual nature, related or not related to penetration into the body of another person, in the presence of a minimal gap in age between the persons committing such acts. We are talking about actions in the presence of voluntary consent, but one of the persons has not reached the age of consent. Methodology. The methodology includes a comprehensive analysis and generalization of the available scientific and theoretical material and the formulation of relevant conclusions and recommendations. During the research, the following methods of scientific knowledge were used: logical-semantic (to define and deepen the conceptual apparatus of "age of consent", "voluntariness of consent"), comparative-legal and analysis method (when analyzing available Ukrainian and foreign legal material). Results: In the process of research, it was recognized that the issue of criminal liability of persons who engage in voluntary sexual relations with a person who has not reached the age of consent requires further research and improvement of legal regulation. Originality. During the research, it was established that the elements of the so-called The "Romeo and Juliet Law" is present in the current criminal legislation of Ukraine. Its implementation in some foreign countries can be a solution to the problematic aspects of the implementation of criminal responsibility in Ukraine. Practical significance. The results of the research can be used in law-making activities to develop the necessary changes to the current criminal legislation of Ukraine, as well as to continue further theoretical research in this area.

Keywords

• sexual relations
• voluntary consent
• age of consent
• romeo and juliet law
• penetration