What does reaching 'the age of consent' allow the girl to consent too?

Question

My niece and I are having a debate. She is turning 16 this fall and I understand that in AZ that is the age of consent for girls. I am telling her that if she goes out and has s*x with anyone they can still be arrested for statutory rape of a minor and she feels that if she is past the age of consent then he can't be arrested.

Just what does 'age of consent' cover ?

Answer 1

anything they want as long as the partner is in the same legal age bracket, i believe

Answer 2

In the UK at least (I doubt your "age of consent" differs from ours significantly), the age of consent is when somebody can consent to having s*x. Thus if you are over the age of consent and consent to s*x it is legal. If you are under the age of consent then if you consent your partner will be committing statutory rape.

Answer 3

Your niece would be correct, IF 16 was the statutory age in Arizona.  But, it's 18 in Az, not 16.

Arizona Statutes 13-1405 :  "A person commits sexual conduct with a minor by intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person who is under eighteen years of age."  "Sexual conduct with a minor who is at least fifteen years of age is a class 6 felony."

Answer 4

The man, if also over the age of 16, will not be arrested if she consents.  However, if SHE were to have s*x with a person under 16, she could be charged.

Answer 5

basically, it means she is old enough to give consent to have s*x.

Therefore, she could have s*x with a much older man, and it would be within their right because she is old enough to make the decision for herself.

at sixteen, in terms of s*x; she is no longer a minor

hope that helps.

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