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Reader Mabarosi Responds:
I read this question after reading someone else's response
to it, that they believed that the statutory rape laws are
there to prevent kids having kids.
There is another reason, and I will quote
webmistress Cynthia as she explains it well:
In most places it is believed that until a child reaches
a certain age, the child is not really able to give informed
consent to sex. In other words, they can't really understand
what they are consenting to. Most of us would agree that
an 8-year old girl could not give informed consent to
sex. That is, even if the 8-year old girl agreed, it would
still be wrong, because she wouldn't understand what she
was agreeing to.
Abortion Laws Are Strict
Also, I'd like to say that abortion laws are also very
strict, and women are only allowed to have abortions if
being pregnant/ having a child effects them physically or
mentally, or if they have a good case for it.
Statutory Rape Laws Help People Decide When They're Ready
Rape is a crime which gives extreme damage to the victim,
emotionally, mentally and physically, and the statutory
rape laws ARE to protect everyone. They are there to help
people decide whether or not to have sex as well, if they
are close to the age of consent. I know of too many people
who feel they are ready for sex, and then do it, and later
regret it happening. These laws help them decide; if it
weren't against the law then they wouldn't think it was
such a big deal.
Everyone has their own opinions about the age of consent,
and sure, it may be annoying at times, but yes, it is to
protect children, just as abortion laws do the unborn.
– mabarosi
Female, age 16, Australia
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