Sure statutory rape legal guidelines, usually informally termed “Romeo and Juliet” legal guidelines, present exceptions in circumstances the place each people concerned in sexual exercise are minors and shut in age. These exceptions are designed to forestall the disproportionate punishment of youthful youngsters partaking in consensual relationships with friends. For instance, if a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old have interaction in sexual exercise, and the age of consent is 16, the 15-year-old won’t be thought-about a sufferer beneath a provision.
The existence of such provisions goals to acknowledge the nuances of adolescent relationships and keep away from imposing excessively harsh penalties that would negatively impression the futures of each events. Traditionally, statutory rape legal guidelines have been supposed to guard kids from exploitation by adults. Nevertheless, making use of these legal guidelines rigidly in conditions involving similar-aged minors can result in unintended penalties and should not at all times serve the most effective pursuits of these concerned. This recognition has led to the adoption of age distinction exceptions in some jurisdictions.
