Georgia Virtual School (GAVS) Health Exam

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Is it true that a person may be convicted of statutory rape if they are 17 and have sex with someone who is 15 years or younger?

True
False
Only in some states
Only if parents approve

The correct answer is: True

The statement is true because statutory rape laws are designed to protect minors from engaging in sexual activity with individuals who are significantly older. In many jurisdictions, these laws establish a specific age of consent, and when a person engages in sexual activity with someone below that age, it is considered a crime regardless of whether the younger person consented. In this scenario, a 17-year-old engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old or someone younger may be prosecuted under statutory rape laws, as the law typically deems those who are younger than a certain age incapable of giving legal consent. While some states may have variations in their age of consent laws or may offer close-in-age exemptions (commonly referred to as "Romeo and Juliet" laws), the central principle remains that engaging in sexual activity with someone below the age of consent can lead to a statutory rape charge. The age limitation aims to protect younger individuals who may be more vulnerable or less mature in understanding the implications of their choices.