Biologically, the prefrontal cortex - the part of the brain responsible for empathy and other higher brain functions - isn’t fully formed until one’s mid-20s. That’s a good place to start.
Now the cut-off age is used as a threshold, after which presumption of innocence is kicking in (sex between adults is consensual until proven otherwise).
In your proposition there would be no such threshold?
The reason we have an age of consent is to protect vulnerable people (kids) from exploitation, right? I want to extend that protection, to protect people from those in positions of authority. So if you’re a university professor, just because your student is 18 and consents, I think that should also be considered statutory rape, as an example. I do not believe consent can be freely given in those circumstances.
Ok. At what age would the cut off be then?
Biologically, the prefrontal cortex - the part of the brain responsible for empathy and other higher brain functions - isn’t fully formed until one’s mid-20s. That’s a good place to start.
I think you misunderstand me, I’m not proposing to change the cut-off age, I’m saying that other factors should be involved too, not just age
Now the cut-off age is used as a threshold, after which presumption of innocence is kicking in (sex between adults is consensual until proven otherwise).
In your proposition there would be no such threshold?
The reason we have an age of consent is to protect vulnerable people (kids) from exploitation, right? I want to extend that protection, to protect people from those in positions of authority. So if you’re a university professor, just because your student is 18 and consents, I think that should also be considered statutory rape, as an example. I do not believe consent can be freely given in those circumstances.
Will there be a presumption of innocence in your concept?
I don’t really understand what you’re asking me here, can you explain a bit about what you’re trying to get at?