statutory rape defenses

Statutory rape refers to sexual activity where one participant is below the legal age of consent. Defenses to this charge may include lack of knowledge about the victim's age, believing the victim was of legal age, or circumstances that may negate consent, such as coercion. Some jurisdictions might also consider the ages of both individuals involved, potentially leading to a close-in-age exemption. However, these defenses can vary significantly by laws in different areas, and the legal system often treats statutory rape cases seriously due to the inherent power dynamics involved.