WHY IS AWARENESS & PREVENTION IMPORTANT?

Statutory Rape is a major issue in the United States; to combat this, every state has laws in place to protect young people from perpetrators and inappropriate sexual relationships. These inappropriate relationships are harmful for the adolescent involved.

• According to Child Trends, in 2002 approximately 13% of female and 5% of males under the age of 18 had experienced statutory rape.^
• In Nevada 70% of the babies born to teen mothers are fathered by adult men (2004 Nevada Vital Statistics).^
• Statutory rape victims are more likely to become pregnant, contract a sexually transmitted disease, drop out of school, experiment with drugs and alcohol, etc.^
• Evidence supports the need for this type of education due to the increase in teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, dropout rates, drug and alcohol use and disrupted development.^
• Most minors know the age limits for getting a tattoo, driver’s license, or even voting, but are not typically familiar with Nevada’s statutory rape laws.^
• As students begin dating and exploring their sexuality it is important to provide them with the proper education in order to prevent statutory rape from occurring. ^