Statutory Rape Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Statutory Rape, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Statutory Rape?

(n) Statutory rape is the sexual intercourse with a female, whether or not she has consented to such an action, who was neither a child nor reached the age of consent. The age of consent and age limit of a child varies from state to state.

History and Meaning of Statutory Rape

Statutory rape is a term used to describe sexual intercourse with an individual who is below the age of consent, which is the age at which a person is considered to be legally competent to consent to sexual activity. This act is considered illegal regardless of whether the victim gave their consent or not. The age of consent varies from country to country, and within the United States, it also varies from state to state.

The legal history of statutory rape in the United States dates back to the early 20th century, during which various states began to establish laws relating to the crime. The goal of these laws was to protect minors from sexual exploitation and abuse.

Examples of Statutory Rape

  1. John was sentenced to 10 years in prison for statutory rape after having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl.

  2. The age of consent in New York is 17, meaning that sexual intercourse with an individual under the age of 17 is considered statutory rape.

  3. Mary was shocked to find out that her 16-year-old daughter had been the victim of statutory rape by her 25-year-old boyfriend.

Legal Terms Similar to Statutory Rape

  1. Sexual abuse is any type of sexual activity that a person is forced or coerced into without their consent.

  2. Sexual assault refers to any unwanted sexual contact or behavior, including rape.

  3. Child molestation is the act of engaging in sexual activity with a child, which is generally defined as a person under the age of 18.