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Indian parents using sexual offence law to control teen romance
Misuse of law has entangled teens in harsh justice system with far-reaching repercussions
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The sex abuse law does not allow for consensual, non-exploitative sex among teens below 18 in India, which has the world's largest adolescent population.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BENGALURU - India’s law protecting children from sexual abuse is being widely misused to criminalise teenagers having consensual sex. Around a quarter of the cases are filed against teen lovers – predominantly by unhappy parents.
Juvenile justice groups, judges and even the police are now demanding that the law recognises India’s sexual reality.
