Question: What Is Statutory Rape?
Answer: Statutory Rape is a legal term to describe sexual contact between an adult and someone who is younger than the age of consent for that state. It does not matter if the sex is consensual or not. Age of consent laws vary from state to state and may be different depending on the gender of your partner.
For example, in Montana, the age of consent is 16 for heterosexual sex and 18 for gay or lesbian sex.
Dating someone who is younger than the age of consent is not considered statutory rape if no sexual contact occurs.
State laws vary on punishment for statutory rape and some states take into account the age difference of the two parties.
