If you look at most of the laws, they are worded in a male-centered way, so this isn't unique to just this statute. That's what happens when, up until recent, nearly all the lawmakers had penises.

You are an absolute idiot and ass for making a statement like this. I can't even begin to believe that you can be born and raised in this day and age and think like that. You're a sad individual.

ETA: Criminals of all types play the "victim" role. If we want to talk about the same situation, guys saying oh, she was dressed slutty, she was asking for it. Or oh, she came on so strong I knew she wanted it.

Mary Kay Letourneau is ugly? God, I must be a dog from hell then. She's not drop dead gorgeous, but she is cute in her non-getting dragged off to jail photos.

I would wager the reason she went to jail is because the kid she hooked up with was in FIFTH GRADE and she was in her thirties. This chick in Florida is much younger and the age difference is smaller. I don't think that justifies it, but I'm betting that's what was taken into consideration, not her looks.

Well, once again you have shown that all it takes is a little antagonizing for you to start name calling. It's sort of a joke how easy it is to get you to start yapping like a lap dog.

It's even demonstrated in this thread how people try to make excuses for females that commit a crime. There are people making up excuses to try and lessen the crime (the age difference isn't that big), and then you have people here bringing up entirely other issues to deflect from it (the pay issue).

It's still a crime and until all things that are unequal are addressed, stop bitching about points that only stand to benefit you.

Well yeah, you make an unfounded, sexist pig statement like that, you're gonna get called out on it. If you actually said anything logical, maybe we could have an intelligent discussion.

Who's made excuses for a female that commits a crime? I have no sympathy for anyone that commits statutory rape. ANYONE- male or female. The law isn't very secretive. If you're over the age of majority, you can't sleep with a minor (though some states have as part of their law an age difference- if it's less than 3 or 4 years age difference, for example- i.e. an 18 year old could sleep with a 15 year old).

I thought minors could be charged with statutory rape as well...I wanna say I went to high school with a guy who slept with a 13 year old when he was like 14 or 15 and got arrested and charged with statutory rape...now he is a registered sex offender and listed on SLEDs website.

It wouldn't be statutory rape, unless the state called it something like that in its code. It wouldn't be what's really known as stautory rape. They may have some sort of offense, PA doesn't have that to my knowledge.

Statutory rape is when an adult has sexual relations with someone under the age of 17. The victim of that, for example, cannot be charged with statutory rape. The crime of statutory rape is designed to protect minors, therefore a minor can't be charged with it. Geekypenguin may be able to reword that differently, i forget how they word in law school that sounds better.

excuse me it was Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor

Am I the only one who is bothered by the word "rape" being used for this kind of situation? When I think of rape, I think of it being completely non-consensual. It doesn't seem like this was against the kid's will.

I think we all knew kinds in high school (and possibly even junior high) who were having sex, often with people who were of legal age, but it was consensual.

I definitely think having sex with a minor is wrong, but I just don't like the word "statutory rape". But maybe it is just me.

This is a term that I think makes more sense.

It stems from the minor not being able to consent. Just as they can't sign a legally binding contract, they can't consent to sex with an adult.

The law, of course, is imperfect. But what would you guys who think this isn't right suggest as alternatives?

I understand what you're saying completely.

As for alternatives... I can't say that I know enough about the law to offer a suggestion. :(

I do know that if I had been 15 and my mom cought me sleeping with a 20-yr-old... She would have pressed charges.

It's a consensual as two people having sex under the influence. At the time it can be consensual, but since the gov't ruled that you can't be held accountable for your actions while drunk it doesn't count.

Same in this situation. The person may want to have sex, but since they are not of legal age it's not consensual.

This is misinformation. You're only not responsible for your actions when you are INvoluntarily intoxicated- i.e. if someone drugged you without your knowledge. Voluntary intoxication may be used as a defense only for specific intent crimes, a category of which does NOT include any sexually related crimes.