Student organisation Pulse has expressed itself in favour of lowering the age of consent to 16, saying this was the logical step forward.

In a statement this afternoon, it welcomed the discussion initiated by government MP Godfrey Farrugia saying this was not the first time that such an issue had been raised with no legislative result.

“We hope that this time round, a comprehensive and mature debate will ensue, with concrete steps being taken to amend the law.”

Pulse said that Malta, together with Turkey and the Vatican, had the most conservative age of consent - 18 - three years higher than the average.

While consensual relations between 16 and 17 year olds were still criminalised, people at this age were entitled to marry, open a bank account and were considered as being fully liable before the courts.

“This is not only a question of a legal inconsistency, but a cause for suffering and fear for too many young, responsible couples,” Pulse said.