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Romeo & Juliet: Star-Crossed Lovers or Sex Offenders?

NCJ Number
244929
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 24 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2013 Pages: 655-675
Author(s)
Victoria Simpson Beck, Ph.D.; Stephanie Boys, Ph.D.
Date Published
November 2013
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study was designed to measure and report on public support for the use of age of consent laws (also known as statutory rape laws) to control and punish consensual teenaged sexual behavior.
Abstract
Laws that set an age of consent to engage in sexual behavior are unique in that they are the only laws that can result in a child being both a victim and offender of a crime merely due to age. They are also unique because some States have used these laws in an attempt to reduce teen pregnancy rates. This study was designed to measure and report on public support for the use of age of consent laws (also known as statutory rape laws) to control and punish consensual teenaged sexual behavior, with a focus on Wisconsin and California where the age of sexual consent (18) exceeds the majority of States by 2 years. Study results indicate that the majority of citizens in these two States do not support the use of the age of consent laws in cases where two same-aged teenagers have engaged in consensual sexual behavior. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.