La relatividad legal de la edad de consentimiento sexual de los menores de dieciséis años: regla y excepción

Boldova Pasamar, M.A. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: El objetivo que tiene este trabajo se centra en analizar las condiciones legalmente establecidas para considerar sin trascendencia penal los comportamientos sexuales realizados con menores por debajo de la edad de consentimiento sexual, elevada a dieciséis años en la reforma del Código penal de 2015. En concreto, si concurre el consentimiento libre del menor y la persona que se involucra sexualmente con él es próxima por edad y grado de desarrollo o madurez (cláusula Romeo y Julieta), no hay abuso sexual de ningún tipo. De acuerdo con ello, la protección de la indemnidad sexual decae en favor de la libertad sexual y la presunción de incapacidad del menor de dieciséis años para consentir ya no es absolutamente irrebatible. Esta fórmula es más amplia que el criterio cronológico puro dominante en el Derecho comparado y, por ello, en cierta medida resulta indeterminada e invasiva de la esfera íntima de los menores, pero ofrece la posibilidad de ampliar los supuestos que serían acreedores a una exclusión de la responsabilidad penal. Se incluye una propuesta de lege ferenda para hacer más segura y garantista la aplicación de la cláusula. The objective of this work is focused on analyzing the legally established conditions to consider without criminal significance sexual behaviors carried out with minors under the age of sexual consent, that was raised to sixteen years old in the reform of the Penal Code of 2015. Specifically, if there is free consent of the minor and the person sexually involved with him/her is close by age and degree of development or maturity (Romeo and Juliet clause), there is no sexual abuse of any kind. Accordingly, sexual indemnity protection declines in favor of sexual freedom and the presumption of incapacity of the minor under sixteen to consent is no longer absolutely irrefutable. This formula is broader than the pure chronological criterion that is dominant in comparative law and, therefore, to some extent it is indeterminate and invasive of the intimate sphere of minors, but it offers the possibility of expanding the assumptions that would give raise to an exclusion of criminal responsibility. A lege ferenda proposal is included to make the application of the clause more secure and a rightsbased interpretation.

The objective of this work is focused on analyzing the legally established conditions to consider
without criminal significance sexual behaviors carried out with minors under the age of sexual consent,
that was raised to sixteen years old in the reform of the Penal Code of 2015. Specifically, if there is free consent of the minor and the person sexually involved with him/her is close by age and degree of development or maturity (Romeo and Juliet clause), there is no sexual abuse of any kind. Accordingly, sexual indemnity protection declines in favor of sexual freedom and the presumption of incapacity of the minor under sixteen to consent is no longer absolutely irrefutable. This formula is broader than the pure chronological criterion that is dominant in comparative law and, therefore, to some extent it is indeterminate and invasive of the intimate sphere of minors, but it offers the possibility of expanding the assumptions that would give raise to an exclusion of criminal responsibility. A lege ferenda proposal is included to make the application of the clause more secure and a rightsbased
interpretation.

Idioma: Español

Año: 2021

Publicado en: Revista Electrónica de Ciencia Penal y Criminología 23, 16 (2021), [41 pp.]
ISSN: 1695-0194

Originalmente disponible en: Texto completo de la revista

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 0.0 - Social Sciences (Q4)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.0 - Law

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S13-17R

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Derecho Penal (Dpto. Dcho.Pe.,Filos.D.e Hª D.)