In NY state it is legal to be topless in public, as long as not lewd. If 18yr & 14yr fems topless at beach,?

Question

is a law being violated by the 14 yr old? Does any age of consent law apply? She's not signing a contract, getting medical care. Laws on sexual acts apply to a 14 yr old, but the 1992 Appeals Court ruling made it clear toplessness was a gender equality issue, not a sexual or lewd act. So is gender equality age dependent? Or if it is, is it addressed in the law?

Not simply trying to be provocative here. And I'm not trying to mock gender equality; long time supporter. But there seems to be a gap in what law or standard would apply, with consistency.

Posted here, not in Law & Ethics, because I want a different perspective. Oh, and the 18 y/o isn't her sister or legal guardian. Have a 14 y/o at beach with friends. Is removed from immediate parental approval. So if a cop sees her, what grounds to act? (Besides the fact that he simply would...that's too easy.)

Answer 1

I am not aware of the specifics of this law, but based on what you've said, the fourteen year-old isn't breaking any laws.  Being topless doesn't equal a lewd act.  If she was topless and being groped by the eighteen year-old, there might be a case.