German court rules parents cannot stop girl, 15, from having relationship with uncle, 47
A 15-year-old girl’s parents cannot stop her from having a sexual relationship with her 47-year-old uncle, a court in Germany has ruled.
The girl, named only as Josephine, has reportedly successfully challenged a court order sought by her parents to stop her from being in contact with her uncle on the grounds that the relationship is endangering her welfare.
But as the teenager is over 14 – the age of sexual consent in Germany – the court has ruled that her own wishes have to be taken into account, it has been reported.
The relationship hit the headlines last year when the girl, who was 14 at the time, ran away with the man – who is her uncle by marriage.
The couple were found in the south of France, but the teenager told police she had gone with him voluntarily.
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Her parents since sought a court order, but judges ruled that Josephine was at risk of damage to her “social-emotional and mental development” if she was stopped from contacting the man.
They reportedly added that while the relationship may be unacceptable socially, it was not covered by criminal law.
