As I pointed out in another thread yesterday, there are many laws that define whether or not something is legal by age. For example, if the girl in question attempted to vote one day before her 18th birthday, it would be illegal; one day after, legal. If she tried to buy alcohol one day before her 21st birthday, illegal; one day after, legal. If she signed a contract one day before her 18th birthday, it would not be binding upon her; one day after, it would. An so on and so forth.
So are you arguing that ALL age-based laws should be repealed? And if not, why should this age-based law be any different than any other?
Rape is one of the most charged and almost self-convicting charges that can be leveled against someone. It is life changing, and can mean instant and prolonged incarceration.
That’s why I cringe at the idea that a few seconds can transform someone from innocent love status to one of a pariah, consummately evil and deserving of society’s long and lingering hatred.
What are the ramifications of vote or not vote? What are the ramifications of drink or don’t drink? Both of these are more or less wink-wink nod violations when it comes to the penalties.
So no I’m not saying all age related standards are wrong. What I am saying is that there is an awful lot riding on the rape parameters, and it does bother me someone could be judged so differently just a few days later.