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Too Young for Consent
What Happened? An 11 year old girl was walking on the beach with a friend. They were joined by a 17 year old boy they knew from church. After talking for awhile on the beach one of the girls went home leaving the 11 year old girl and the 17 year old boy alone. The boy asked if he could put his finger in her. The 11 year old girl said "yes."
The Result: The 17 year old was charged with a sex offense that carried a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. The fact that the 11 year old consented does not get him off the hook for criminal charges. Individuals under the age of 16 cannot consent.
The 17 year old plead guilty as charged to a sex offense. He was sentenced by the judge to a year in the county jail with release to Huron House after 6 months. (Huron House is a correctional facility that is less restrictive than the jail.)
Seduction of a Minor
What Happened? Nick is a 14 year old male. He hangs out a lot at his two friends' house next door. It began in June at a bonfire at the friend’s home. Nick, his two friends and their mom were lying on blankets watching the fire. At one point, the brothers went into the house leaving Judy (the 35 year old mom) and Nick alone. Judy started rubbing Nick’s leg and kissing him.
The next time that Nick was at their house visiting his friends, Judy kissed him and gave him two condoms.
On the next visit to his friends' house, he was helping paint the pole barn. While painting, the dad and brothers were called away. While Nick and Judy were alone in the barn, Judy started kissing Nick. They eventually engaged in sexual intercourse.
On 4th of July weekend Nick was invited to go up north with his friends' family. The family rented a hotel room and took along a trailer for extra sleeping space. On the last day of the vacation, Judy dropped her husband and sons off at the trailer which was parked a few miles from the hotel. Judy returned to the hotel to pick up Nick and take him home. While alone in the hotel room they engaged in intercourse.
The Result: During the interaction in the hotel room, Judy left a hickey on Nick’s neck. When Nick returned home his mom questioned him about the hickey. The story eventually broke because Nick’s mom was suspicious that more than kissing had occurred. She called the police and Judy was charged with criminal sexual conduct of the first degree. She will face up to life in prison.
Sexual Harassment
rumors, gossip, and sexual comments
What Happened? An eighth grade student at Albion Middle School heard rumors in school that she had engaged in a sexual act. She tried to shrug it off, but the talk wouldn’t die. She warned people to stop saying it or else she would tell. Still, the classmates kept repeating the lewd gossip, loudly and often. The same rumor followed her to her freshman year. Her parents were sympathetic but initially felt the best way to handle it was to ignore them. Hardly a week went by that someone didn’t taunt her with vulgar, sexually explicit comments during class, in hallways or at after school events. In her sophomore year Mary started having nightmares, her grades slipped and she developed an ulcer. Her parents were concerned and consulted a counselor to help their daughter.
The Results: On the advice of the counselor, the parents filed a sexual harassment complaint with the federal authorities. The Supreme Court found that schools ARE liable when they KNOW about a student being harassed and do nothing to STOP it. The key is that students must report it before the school can take action.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault, it is very important that you tell someone, a trusted adult, parent, friend, or school officials. KEEP on telling until your voice is heard. No one deserves to be harassed or assaulted.
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