Peru Congress Cuts Age of Consent to 14

LIMA, Peru - Peru's Congress has voted overwhelmingly to lower the age to 14 for participating in consensual sex, a move some activists said could expose children to sexual abuse.

Lawmakers voted 70-10 on Thursday to approve the measure lowering the age at which criminal law recognizes the legal capacity of a person to consent to sexual activity. It was previously 17.

The age of consent for sex in many U.S. states is 16 or older.

The Peruvian measure was written by a member of President Alan Garcia's center-left Aprista party and Garcia is expected to sign it into law.

One supporter of the measure, lawmaker Raul Castro, said the law will bring Peru in …