United States Age-of-Consent Laws Governing the Sexual Conduct of Minors: A Rationale for National Uniformity; an Overview of the Present Law; a Proposal for Reform (From Juvenile Psychiatry and the Law, P 145-180, 1989, Richard Rosner and Harold I Schwartz, eds. -- See NCJ-119142)

• NCJ Number: 119151
• Author(s): J Densen-Gerber; J R Dugan Jr
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: Plenum Press
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This analysis of current laws governing the age of consent related to sexual conduct of minors argues for and presents a proposed nationwide law establishing a uniform age.

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that substantial percentages of juveniles who are treated for drug abuse, mental health problems, delinquency, and other problems have experienced child sexual abuse. Because children cross State lines, confusion and an appearance of hypocrisy results from having variations in the degree of protection children receive in different States. A more helpful approach would be to provide children and adolescents with the same protections and sexual standards regardless of the State in which they live or to which they travel. In addition, the same sanctions must be imposed throughout the nation regarding the commercialization of youths. The proposed Uniform Sexual Abuse of Minors Act creates three offenses: intercourse with minors, sexual contact with minors, and indecent exposure to minors. Text of proposed law and State-by-State chart showing existing laws.