The Minister of Iceland's children Astildur LOA Torsdottir resigned after she confessed to an intimate relationship with a minor more than 30 years ago. The facts and public disclosure of this situation have been the cause of a political scandal that has stirred Iceland, as they concern the issues of morality, ethics and legislation on relationships with minors.
Astildur La Torsdottir, who at the time of these events was a 23-year-old woman, gave birth to a child from a 16-year-old young man. At the time of their relationship, the young man was a member of the religious group where Torsotrit worked as a consultant. The relations between them were secret, and later the couple broke the relationship. However, even after their completion, Toxotrit refused her son's son, Eyrik Asmundsson, access to the child and demanded alimony for 18 years.
This story has become known to the public only recently, when Asmundsson's relative decided to contact Iceland Prime Minister Kristrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrun with this information. After that, the Prime Minister personally invited torsdottor for a conversation, after which the minister decided to resign.
Iceland Prime Minister, Kristrrrrun Frostadotur, confirmed that she only learned about the situation after a relative of Asmundsson. Frostadottir stated that the conversation with Torsotrit was very difficult, and so the minister made the decision to resign.
The Ministry's statement, which she made after her resignation, aroused mixed emotions in society. Thordoothir expressed disappointment that this case had acquired public publicity, and noted that if she had the opportunity to go back, she would have acted differently. At the same time, she emphasized that this situation happened more than thirty years ago, and she believes that by that time they had survived their own and have long been maintaining any contacts.
Iceland has specific laws on consent and relationships with minors. The age of consent for sexual relations in the country is 15 years, but there are also special restrictions for adults who have professional or mentoring with minors. In this case, adults may be prosecuted and punishment for up to three years of imprisonment.
According to these norms, Toxotrit could fall under criminal prosecution because of her professional role in the religious group, where she worked as a consultant for young people and her relationship with a 16-year-old young man. However, such cases require specific evidence of the violation of the law, and there is currently no information on the opening of criminal proceedings against Toxotur.
This scandal has caused strong political consequences in Iceland. Thordotetir was a highly professional official who for many years headed the Ministry of Children and has been actively working on issues of children, family policy and human rights protection. Her resignation was a shock for many, especially against the background that the minister was actively involved in the issues of ethics and rights of children.
There are different opinions about whether the decision was made correctly. Many citizens believe that the past age should not be denoted by human professional achievements and that everyone has the right to a second chance. However, others believe that a politician who deals with the protection of children's rights cannot have such experience.
