Statutory Rape Essay

According to Merriam Webster statutory rape is the crime of having sex with someone who is younger than an age that is specified by law. Depending on the state the ages vary. The sex could be forcible or not forced. As many know it is considered rape if sexual intercourse is within a four year age difference. However, people may not realize that it is illegal for a seventeen year old and an eighteen year old to have sex under statutory rape laws. Even though the two people are only a year apart it is still considered rape if brought into court. “In the 1970s and 1980s most states adopted rape shield laws designed to limit the extent to which defendants in rape trials could introduce evidence related to the victim 's sexual history.” ( Call,

“Recent studies indicate that at least half of all babies born to minor women are fathered by adult men.” (Can Statutory Rape Laws Be Effective in Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy?) The article also includes that these pregnant adolescents could be the cause to the increase in welfare, resulting in the conclusion that if states enforce statutory rape laws. “The concerns of statutory rape are within young adolescents. However small proportions of 13-14-year-olds have had intercourse, the ones who become sexually active at an early age are especially likely to have experienced coercive or forced sex. Seventy-four percent of women who had intercourse before age 14 and 60% of those who had sex before age 15 report having had a forced sexual experience. As the public has become increasingly aware that the sexual partners of minor adolescent women are men ranging from 3-6 year older, concern has grown within society forcing policymakers to increase the enforcement of statutory rape laws to protect these girls.” (Can Statutory Rape Laws Be Effective in Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy?) This portrays that all states should have enforcements on statutory rape laws because it is making an increase in welfare causing more and more people to be broke. Welfare is increasing because all of these young pregnant girls cannot support their children on their own so they seek

On the other hand, many other things come into role with enforcing this law. Within the court it is often difficult to determine whether the adolescent is truly a victim or not according to Catherine Elton. She states young girls can also be very manipulative and most likely appear older looking to someone who is 20 years old. (Catherine Elton) Also states that Orange County, California social service worker suggested a 13 year old marry her 20 year old boyfriend. California’s way of enforcing the law is trying to find ways to help or benefit these female victim’s lives rather than punish them in any way. Although, these men who seem to be the defendant are often the ones punished because they lose their significant other sometimes and often have to register as a sexual offender. Another reason why statutory rape laws must be standardized within the states is because the sexes are not being treated equal. It’s often viewed as the girl is the good guy and the man is in the wrong. Also because these adolescents are losing the consent of their parents when these social workers are telling the young people to marry the elder person they had a relationship with. They think by recommending this it is going to solve the adolescent’s skipping school and possible drug issues. Even though enforcement is concerning to