I remember when I was 16, and my girlfriend (now wife of 12 years) just turned 18, and she was frightened at the possibility of being done for statutory rape. It really is a dumb law. Instead of having an age of consent there should be a law on the age gap.
Age gap seems more appropriate, I agree with that.
The rule should be that if you are old enough for sex, you can MOVE OUT and take care of yourself.