Sex with a Minor/Rape/Child Molestation

[Atonement]

Okay, I am posting this without further knowledge of your areas laws on minor sex.

In the state of Iowa, Someone ove rhte age of 18 having sex with someone under the age of 18 is instantly conviction for rape. The reasoning the state gives is that the person under the age of 18 is not mature enough to make the decision to have sex or not. Which makes it nonconsentual

So, my first question, is how does being 18 make it okay? Our minds don't stop growing till we are well into our 20's.

Second question, is how is sex between two minors okay? If the state wants to convict people for sex with minors, how is it okay for both people unable to give consent, to have sex. It doesnt make sense. Neither has the age of consent so wouldn't it be rape both ways???

[optimashprime]

ok we all ready have had a dicussion about this

and i dont know anythin about the states law sorry

[Ceilidh]

I know what you mean, I've never understood it either tbh.

I think the law should be more clear cut aswell. In UK the age of consent is 16, but it's also illegal for two people under 16 to have sex too... but they wouldn't do anything about it.

[optimashprime]

our laws are wierd btw i live in the uk

[The Batman]

Sex is overrated I think that they are blowing it completely out of proportion. Our personal thoughts are constantly overriding our logical thinking and laws like these get created. I think that sex between someone over 18 and someone under 18 should only be illegal if it was unconsented or consent was given by a minor under the age of 14 or 15.

[optimashprime]

true

if we want sex and make a choice together aka boyfriend and girlfriend then we should be allowed to do it

[Gumleaf]

the legal age in australia is 16

i know what you mean addison, but a bounary has to be set somehere to make it legal. it just so happens that here it is 16 and there 18.

it doesn't make sense at all, but one thing i will say is when was the last time you heard of 2 minors "raping" eachother?

[Sapphire]

The age is 18 because that is when you are deemed, in the eyes of the law, to be an adult.

[Zephyr]

The law in the state of Oregon is that 18 is the rightful age of consent, BUT there can be a three year difference between partners and it wouldn't count as rape of any sort.

Example: Girl is 15 and guy is 18, the guy can't get in trouble legally.

The age of consent is 18 because it's the age in which you are legally deemed an adult, and have to start being responsible for yourself.

To answer your second question: I really have no idea. If you have the three years difference law, like we do here, then you won't run into this problem practically 99% of the time.

[ShatteredWings]

The law in the state of Oregon is that 18 is the rightful age of consent, BUT there can be a three year difference between partners and it wouldn't count as rape of any sort.

here that would be a crime...

honestly, i don't think being 18 makes you any more mature than being 17... or in some cases even 14 (yes i've met some immature seniors before). the laws HAVE to be there so when a 30-something tries to rape a 15 y/o, he can't say she consented it.


case by case basis is probably better, but our legal system is screwd up

[Camazotz]

Its not rape if you like it:P

But in all seriousness, these laws dont make sense to me. Its quite obviously rape if the victim reports it. Age shouldnt matter, as long as each partner agrees to it.

[Zephyr]

Its not rape if you like it:P

But in all seriousness, these laws dont make sense to me. Its quite obviously rape if the victim reports it. Age shouldnt matter, as long as each partner agrees to it.

Yes, that is the best policy, in my opinion.
But I've known a lot of girls who will willingly have sex, then report it later on because they felt dirty about it.
The other issue is parents. A lot of the times it's the parents who report the activity when they find out.

[Sapphire]

The age is there to draw a line between those who are deemed fully capable to understand everything about sex (including the risks) and those who aren't. They have specified an age to eliminate any ambiguity. If it was adjusted on case-by-case basis there would be too much ambiguity and no one would know what would be deemed legal and what wouldn't.

[Malcolm Tucker]

but one thing i will say is when was the last time you heard of 2 minors "raping" eachother?

About a year ago, here. There were two kids, 11 and 12 and they had consentual sex out in the open. They were both put on trial at the Childrens' Court for raping eachother.

[Dolphus Raymond]

Unfortunately, we can't exactly do cognitive development tests to determine if it's rape. Neither can someone before they have sex with someone else. Setting an age is much easier.

I like the "Romeo & Juliet" law concept--the ones Steph mentioned. Washington state's age of consent is 16, although I'm not sure if we have Romeo & Juliet laws. It makes a lot of sense to me. However, I'll point out that prosecutors have the right to charge (or not charge) whomever they want. I'm not sure a charge is so automatic. May be wrong on that.

[Whisper]

16 with a 5yr gap

so a 21yr old can have sex with a 16yr

mainly the RCMP don't want to be raiding and arresting HS students
they want to go after the sick 30yr olds

[ShatteredWings]

About a year ago, here. There were two kids, 11 and 12 and they had consentual sex out in the open. They were both put on trial at the Childrens' Court for raping eachother.
daamn, seriously? that's wrong
16 with a 5yr gap

so a 21yr old can have sex with a 16yr

mainly the RCMP don't want to be raiding and arresting HS students
they want to go after the sick 30yr olds
that's probably the best thoughts there. unfortunatly, here it seems the cops have nothing better to do (uh.. the murders maybe?)

[Sapphire]

girl;340270']daamn, seriously? that's wrong

You honestly think that an 11 and 12 year old can fully comprehend the implications of sex and give their full consent?!
They are still children. They should be doing the things that children do. Not going and having sex with each other. It is wrong that 11 and 12 year olds have sex, not the fact that they are able to be prosecuted for rape.

[ShatteredWings]

You honestly think that an 11 and 12 year old can fully comprehend the implications of sex and give their full consent?!
They are still children. They should be doing the things that children do. Not going and having sex with each other. It is wrong that 11 and 12 year olds have sex, not the fact that they are able to be prosecuted for rape.

? i mean that it's wrong they were tried for rape with eachother

[Oblivion]

I agree with Gwyn.
You shouldn't make up fake laws, or accuse someone of rape just because they are under age.
If you want them to stop having sex under age, make laws that stop it. Saying its rape is just silly, because rape has nothing to do with age.

[Sapphire]

They are not of an age where they can legally give consent and therefore it is rape.

Statutory rape - a general term used to describe non-forcible sexual relations that take place when an individual (regardless of age or gender) has sexual relations with an individual not old enough to legally consent to the behavior.

Reference: U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

[ShatteredWings]

?

soo... they can have their life screwd up and be a registerd sex offender?

legal nighmare

[Oblivion]

How can you be too young to give consent?
If you can speak, you can give consent.
(IMO)

Im not saying i think kids should go around having sex, but rape is such a strong word. Even statutory rape gives people the wrong idea.
Why can't they just call it underage sex?

[antimonic]

I agree with Gwyn.
You shouldn't make up fake laws, or accuse someone of rape just because they are under age.
If you want them to stop having sex under age, make laws that stop it. Saying its rape is just silly, because rape has nothing to do with age.

Fake laws? Since when is statutory rape a "fake law?" and ofc there are laws that are made in an attempt to stop underage children from having sex - even with each other - and statutory rape is one of them

How can you be too young to give consent?
If you can speak, you can give consent.
(IMO)

Im not saying i think kids should go around having sex, but rape is such a strong word. Even statutory rape gives people the wrong idea.
Why can't they just call it underage sex?

Are you taking the piss? Are you very deadly serious? How can you be too young to give consent? So if a 5 year old is able to speak are they allowed to consent to having sex? Of course you can be too young to consent to sex that’s why they make laws that you have to be older then 16 years of age to have sex, how can you even say this? It’s beyond absurd and incredibly demented. so when you are older and your children are able to speak and they consented to have underage sex that would be ok? i strongly advise you think before you speak.

Statutory rape does not give people the wrong idea, it only gives the wrong idea to those who hear the word "rape" and immediately make associations. Statutory rape in the case of the two 11 year olds is a very correct term to use. Yes "rape" is a strong word but nonetheless, it is definitely a word to use in this instant.

[Sapphire]

They do not understand sex in its entirety at that age (risks and all). To say that they know enough about it to give their full consent is ridiculous. The law takes this into account and has set an age limit (either 16 or 18 depending on the jurisdiction) on when a child is deemed to have enough knowledge and awareness to be able to understand sex and everything that goes with it.

It is a shame that at the ages of 11 and 12 they have been charged with rape, but they knew that what they were doing was illegal. They were justifiably charged for breaking a law that is in place to protect them both.

[The Batman]

11 and 12 year old's are not at an age where they fully comprehend what sex is along with the consequences that come with it. Legally it would be classified as rape that's all there is to it. I don't that a cop in his right mind would arrest to 12 year olds for having sex. You guys are thinking like it's something that's going to be heavily enforced. If there were more ways to educate children about sex then this wouldn't be a problem at all.

[Oblivion]

Really, Like Thomas said.
If people were better educated, then it wouldnt even be a problem.
People say kids cant comprehend the consequences of sex, but truthfully, if they were educated about it, they could, probably easily.
The US is so bent out of shape with sex, saying its so bad, and making such a huge deal out of it. If it weren't such a huge hoopla then people would understand more about it, and actually choose not to instead of being charged with rape.

[Sapphire]

Really, Like Thomas said.
If people were better educated, then it wouldnt even be a problem.
People say kids cant comprehend the consequences of sex, but truthfully, if they were educated about it, they could, probably easily.

It isn't just lack of knowledge, but also to do with maturity. You can teach one, but not the other. The law is there to protect them until they are at a point where they can understand it all.

[Oblivion]

Any child can understand action and consequence.
Action: Sex under age
Consequence: Ruin your life.

Keeping it all secret secret until they are into their teens just makes it more confusing, and keeps them uninformed.

[Sapphire]

Do you really know what you are talking about?
They are aware that sex before reaching the age of consent is illegal and that they will get in trouble over it. The law is that simple.
Children, like you, are aware that if it is made common knowledge they will get into trouble because of the laws on the topic and their parents views on it. That is also simple. How it gets as confusing and ambiguous as you like to imply, I do not know.

[antimonic]

Any child can understand action and consequence.
Action: Sex under age
Consequence: Ruin your life.

Keeping it all secret secret until they are into their teens just makes it more confusing, and keeps them uninformed.

Yeah seriously? I think its a little more complicated then that, its not as simple as getting the child to understand sex before marriage = bad the Childs mind works considerably differently to adults. Studies have been conducted into children of all ages looking into their moral values and opinions, as well as their cognitive deductions and it is not until late teens and adulthood in most cases (16+) do the individuals fully grasp equilibrium in their cognitive processes.

You make out like all children are exceptionally intelligent and can make all their decisions for themselves, and Im sorry but this is incredibly ignorant and very wrong. A child can not make life changing decisions by themselves as they are not yet intelligent enough to fully comprehend everything involved.

I mean this is one of the reasons why they get the parents to sign permission slips, if children were able to make their own decisions regardless of the consequences then the children wouldn’t have to get the parents to sign it.

now in terms of sex education, regardless of what the children knew about the act, they knew that it was illegal to have sex until they were of the age of consent yet proceeded with the act anyway, and so were charged. And tbph if a police officer see's 2 11 year olds having sex I really don’t think they would dismiss it.

[Oblivion]

Do you really know what you are talking about?
They are aware that sex before reaching the age of consent is illegal and that they will get in trouble over it. The law is that simple.
Children, like you, are aware that if it is made common knowledge they will get into trouble because of the laws on the topic and their parents views on it. That is also simple. How it gets as confusing and ambiguous as you like to imply, I do not know.

Ok, Im not here to pick a fight with you. So please stop trying.
It gets confusing, because kids (under 12, not teenagers) know little about sex, so they don't know very much about the laws, or consequences.

[Sapphire]

I wasn't trying to pick a fight with you and don't know why you think I am.

They know of the act so they must know that it isn't legal for them to do it.

[Oblivion]

Sex is on TV, kids talk with their friends about it.
All they know is that its 'cool' or 'fun'
They dont know legal limits, or consequences, because no adult talks about it.

[Serenity]

I wasn't trying to pick a fight with you and don't know why you think I am.

Hm...this might've had something to do with it...

Children, like you

Let's not start insulting each other, shall we? Good idea.

[Sapphire]

So no one talks about people getting pregnant? Wow, I must have been living under a strange rock for the whole of my life. Kids know that it is wrong for them to do, otherwise you would find many of them mentioning it to their parents.

Many of the members here are children. But ok.

[antimonic]

How often is it on the news about growing numbers of underage pregnancies, very often. Kids question things almost all the time, there’s always stories of a child asking a really strange question like "what’s a condom?" etc. . .so they may probably ask someone who may know an answer, such as an adult, who may give an explanation (with regards to the question). Indications of the outcomes and responsibilities behind sex are all around the child and where sex is on tv, so are tv shows, adverts and news reports indicating the consequences of it. And tbh i don’t think 11 year olds will think that sex is "cool."

[Oblivion]

A) Not many kids watch the news for entertainment.
B) Wearing condom ads target people in their teens, who most likely already know about that stuff

TV shows dont show the consequences very often, they show the benefits, the kids having fun, and being happy.

[Sapphire]

A) Not many kids watch the news for entertainment.
B) Wearing condom ads target people in their teens, who most likely already know about that stuff

TV shows dont show the consequences very often, they show the benefits, the kids having fun, and being happy.

They don't show kids having sex because it's illegal. It's adults that they show having sex, if at all.

And antimonic meant that an example of childrens curiosity is them asking questions like "what is a condom?". He didn't mean condom adverts on TV.

Children are aware that it is wrong for them to have sex because otherwise they would be more open about their desires to have sex.

[antimonic]

Thank you dig, Tv shows do show consequences very oftenly, look at soap opera's, there is always someone pregnant by accident or having affairs, more then enough information to allow the child to relate sex to a consequential action.

plus are we all forgetting that these kids had sex in PUBLIC lol regardless of whether they were over the age of consent or not, they woulda been charged anyway!

[Atonement]

Might I just throw in there, that if someone is accused, not even convicted of a crime of sexual manner, like this one, they are a registered sex offender for life.

[*Dissident*]

Down the street (literall like 150 yards from my house) there was a case of statutory at a party. The mom of the girl hosting the party of teenagers "seduced" a teenage boy into having sex with her or something, she got arrested for statutory.

[raiders rule]

The laws are stupid, really, i do not think its wrong if an 18 year old has sex with a 17,16,15, or 14 year old, unless its rape i think its ok, though with a 14 year old a little wierd,

[Dolphus Raymond]

Might I just throw in there, that if someone is accused, not even convicted of a crime of sexual manner, like this one, they are a registered sex offender for life.

Really? Do you have a source on that? I really doubt someone can be a sex offender without conviction. I can't find the original text of the bill, but all the sources I find say it requires conviction. Placing restrictions on an unconvicted person would probably be unconstitutional under Due Process.

[Bobby]

I've always heard if you even do the smallest thing, like urinating in public, even if you avoid the fine you get the title of sex offender. I don't know if laws vary from state to state though.

[theOperaGhost]

I've always heard if you even do the smallest thing, like urinating in public, even if you avoid the fine you get the title of sex offender. I don't know if laws vary from state to state though.

I don't believe that is true. My cousin got arrested for public urination in Las Vegas, and I don't believe that he is a registered sex offender. I think becoming a sex offender for public urination is a little extreme. I don't even think you get the title of sex offender for indecent exposure.

[Bobby]

As I said, laws could vary by state.

[theOperaGhost]

Ah, I suppose they do. Still, that seems a bit extreme for public urination. Wouldn't that just be a misdemeanor? I would think you would have to commit a felony sex crime to become a registered sex offender.

[serial-thrilla]

I've always heard if you even do the smallest thing, like urinating in public, even if you avoid the fine you get the title of sex offender. I don't know if laws vary from state to state though. Ive urinated in somewhat public places many many times, I guess im a sicko sex offender.

[Maverick]

Ive urinated in somewhat public places many many times, I guess im a sicko sex offender.
And I guess every human being before outhouses were invented are too.

[Whisper]

Ya...I do that allot

[Bobby]

Jeez guys. I'm just going on what happened to a drunk friend at a football game.

[Whisper]

I'm not attacking you
I'm just saying I've done it

[The Batman]

Might I just throw in there, that if someone is accused, not even convicted of a crime of sexual manner, like this one, they are a registered sex offender for life.
No it requires conviction to be a registered sex offender. If your accused and found innocent then your not one. Think of R Kelly and Michael Jackson both accused neither convicted and they are not registered sex offender. How did we get so off topic though?