As busy professionals, it’s important to stay up-to-date with legal terminology and concepts. One of those terms is “statutory rape”—and it’s a serious offense with serious consequences. In this article, we’ll discuss what statutory rape is, why it’s treated differently from other forms of sexual assault, and several modern examples of recent cases.
What Is Statutory Rape?
Statutory rape is a form of sexual assault defined by law that occurs when an adult engages in sexual activity with someone below the age of consent. The age of consent is the minimum age at which an individual can legally give consent to sexual activity. In the United States, the age of consent is different from state to state, ranging from 16 to 18. Therefore, if an adult engages in sexual activity with a minor, it is considered statutory rape regardless of the minor’s consent.
Unlike other forms of sexual assault, statutory rape does not require any form of coercion or force. It only requires the age difference of the parties involved.
Why Is Statutory Rape Treated Differently Than Other Forms of Sexual Assault?
One of the distinguishing factors for statutory rape is that adults—who are legally considered to be adults—are engaging in sexual activity with someone that the law considers to be a minor. The fact that the minor is not legally allowed to give consent makes the act illegal, regardless of the minor’s wishes. In addition, the victim of statutory rape may not have the psychological ability to properly assess the situation, and therefore is vulnerable to exploitation. Because of this, many states have increased the penalties for perpetrators of statutory rape.
Recent Cases of Statutory Rape
Due to increased penalties for statutory rape, there have been several high-profile cases recently. In 2015, a Canadian schoolteacher was sentenced to 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to having sex with a 15-year-old student. In 2019, two Ohio men were convicted of statutory rape for having sex with a 14-year-old girl. And in 2020, a Michigan man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of statutory rape.
Conclusion
Statutory rape is a serious crime and is treated differently under the law than other forms of sexual assault. It is important for professionals to understand what statutory rape is and why it is treated differently. Recent cases of statutory rape have resulted in some of the most serious sentences ever handed down in the United States, which underscores the repercussions of engaging in sexual activity with a minor.