Reading this thread, I'm blown away by the puritanism of those who pretend to be defending others and those applying the law. We should protect kids from abuses, yes. But thinking that teenagers are pure, have no sexual thoughts and don't have the judgement to consent to anything whatsoever is insane! I just remember when I was a teen.... omg.... don't go there! And applying the rules without judgement (I saw a teacher being fired for having a relationship with someone 17 years and 11 months....) is nuts!!!
I'm wondering if this is just the US society bleeding onto us, or if we Canadians are also deep down like this?
However, in the cases where the teen is clearly consenting (despite what their parents think), the thought that we protect the teens by blaming and shaming their supposed "abusers" ludicrous. This is probably hurting those teens so much more than the potential damage made by these abusers. Think about the rumors circulating in their social circles and social media, and all the guilt that comes with feeling someone whom you loved is going to prison because of you. Why don't anyone designing and enforcing the law see this???