• PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world
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    23 hours ago

    That’s not the case in this scenario, and rarely is. It varies by state, but Romeo and Juliet laws are common, which cover these kinds of circumstances.

    Basically, the law will set an acceptable age gap where consent can happen; If the gap is 5 years, then a 17 year old won’t be able to consent to sex with a 30 year old, but can with an 18-22 year old. So it helps maintain the “this is obviously a child who was groomed by a creepy middle-aged person” statutory rape laws, while still allowing kids to date each other.

    • Queen HawlSera@lemm.ee
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      22 hours ago

      In some states they just straight up do the European thing where all that matters is being at least 16. In my state the age of consent is 16 and that’s also the age where you can be tried as an adult. They recently voted on whether or not to raise the age, and they decided no.

      There is still push for that to be changed, though only for the age of being tried as an adult. The former they’re kinda keen on keeping where it is.