Rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is calling for the decriminalization of consensual sex between minors.

JFJ Executive Director Mikel Jackson made the call at  yesterday’s press briefing on its report entitled ‘Civil society review of the diversion and alternative measures for children in conflict with the law in Jamaica’.

The group highlighted the child diversion act.

According to Ms. Jackson, under the child diversion act, a boy who is accused of having consensual sex with his girlfriend would go before the court under a charge of grievous sexual assault.

She explained that this would prevent the boy from being referred to the child diversion programme.

She said government must move to decriminalize consensual sex between minors and institute a close in age exemption.

Ms. Jackson also called for a reviewing of the sexual offences act so that grievous sexual assault could have a tiered level.

She said this would look at minor acts versus those that have more aggravating factors at play.

According to Ms. Jackson the child diversion programme is overwhelmed by what seems to be consensual sexual activities between minors.

She also called for appropriate sexual education, so that children do not engage in sexual acts.