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About Ed Buckner
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Nationally known freethinker will answer questions on church and state, including giving specific quotations and historical or logical support on religious liberty questions. I`m an expert on the U.S. Constitution, First Amendment, and the Treaty with Tripoli (1796-97). I am a Regional Director for the Council for Secular Humanism, active in the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and a leader of the Atlanta Freethought Society and The Georgia Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. I earned a Ph.D.in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University in 1983.

You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Political Science > 1st Amendment and Free Speech > adult and minor relationships

Topic: 1st Amendment and Free Speech

Expert: Ed Buckner
Date: 12/26/2007
Subject: adult and minor relationships

Question
so my friend is just turning 18 and his girlfriend is 15. they've been dating for about 6 months. they have a sexual relationship but they were concerned about the age policies in the state of Ohio to where he could get charged with statutory rape even if she is okay with the sexual aspect of the relationship.

Answer
Dear Britany,

I'm not really an expert on this, but I know a little about it. The age of consent--the age when someone is considered by law old enough to marry or to knowingly agree to sex--varies from one state to another, and I have no idea what it is in Ohio. If a person is not yet that old and has sex with an adult, the adult can indeed get into big trouble--get charged with statutory rape and be labelled a sex offender and have his life ruined. It may even be possible for this to happen to him if you don't have sex, if someone accuses him of having sex with a minor.

All those involved, or who might be, should talk to an adult you trust--a high school counselor, a parent, etc.--or some agency like Planned Parenthood or maybe the ACLU--to see what their rights and their risks are where you live.

Be careful.

Regards,

Ed Buckner

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