Iceland’s Minister for Children and Education has resigned, after revealing she had a child more than three-and-a-half decades ago with a teenage girl.
Iceland’s RUV broadcasted that Asthildur Thorsdottir had revealed she began a relationship with 15-year old boy when she was only 22 years old and they had a child together.
Thorsdottir, an Icelandic broadcaster, said that she met the boy when working as a counselor for a religious organization, before giving him birth at the age of 16 and 23.
According to Iceland’s penal code, the age of consent is 15. Adults are not allowed to have sexual relationships with children under the age of 18 when they’re entrusted with teaching them. They could face up to 12 years behind bars.
According to RUV, the father said that he never saw himself as a “victim” in this case. However, he noted that his family was struggling and turned to a church group for help.
Iceland’s public broadcaster reported the relationship was kept secret, but the father was at the birth of his baby and allowed initial contact. But nearly all access to his son was cut off by the time he turned one.
He had to pay child maintenance for 18 years.
According to Iceland’s national broadcaster, the young father asked for help from the Ministry of Justice, the Church’s Family Service, and the Ministry of Justice to visit his child. However, Thorsdottir denied him the right to do so.
The public broadcaster announced that Thorsdottir had resigned shortly after RUV reported on her resignation. She will continue to be a parliamentarian for the People’s Party.
Iceland’s Prime Minister said Thorsdottir met with three of the country’s party leaders, but that it was her decision to resign.
RUV reported that Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir stated at a press conference on Friday: “We discussed options and heard her story in detail at this meeting.” The leader repeated that Thorsdottir took responsibility for her actions by resigning.
“This is a sad matter, but has nothing to do our work,” Frostadottir stated, adding that since the issue was brought to the attention of the Prime Minister’s Office a week earlier, the investigation had not been completed.
