What do you think the age for consent should be

[Sandra]

age of consent

Examples of Sexual Behaviors in Children Ages 2 Through 6 Years

Normal, Common Behaviors / Less Common, Normal Behaviors

Uncommon Behaviors in Normal Children Rarely Normal

␟ Touching/masturbating genitals in public/private
␟ Viewing/touching peer or new sibling genitals
␟ Showing genitals to peers
␟ Standing/sitting too close
␟ Tries to view peer/adult nudity
␟ Behaviors are transient, few, and distractible
␟ Rubbing body against others
␟ Trying to insert tongue in mouth while kissing
␟ Touching peer/adult genitals
␟ Crude mimic of movements associated with sexual acts
␟ Sexual behaviors that are occasionally, but persistently, disruptive to others
␟ Behaviors are transient and moderately responsive to distraction
␟ Asking peer/adult to engage in specific sexual act(s)
␟ Inserting objects into genitals
␟ Explicit imitation of intercourse
␟ Touching animal genitals
␟ Sexual behaviors that are frequently disruptive to others
␟ Behaviors are persistent and resistant to parental distraction
␟ Any sexual behaviors involving children who are four or more yearsapart
␟ A variety of sexual behaviors displayed on a daily basis
␟ Sexual behavior that results in emotional distress or physical pain
␟ Sexual behaviors associated with other physically aggressive behavior
␟ Sexual behaviors that involve coercion
␟ Behaviors are persistent and child becomes angry if distracted
Sexual Behaviors1 Abusive Sexual Behaviors

Children, Ages 7–10

␟ Fondle and touch own genitals; masturbate
␟ Become more secretive about self-touching
␟ Interest in others' bodies becomes more game playing than exploratory curiosity (e.g., "I'll show you mine if you show me yours")
␟ Boys may begin comparing size of penis
␟ May develop extreme interest in sex, sex words, and dirty jokes
␟ Begin to seek information or pictures that explain bodily functions
␟ Touching may involve stroking or rubbing
␟ Sexual penetration
␟ Genital kissing
␟ Oral copulation (intercourse)
␟ Simulated intercourse
␟ Behavior involves coercion, threats, secrecy, violence, aggression, or developmentally inappropriate acts
Children, Ages 11 and 12

␟ Continuation of masturbation
␟ Focus on establishing relationships with peers
␟ Sexual behavior with peers, e.g., kissing and fondling
␟ Primarily heterosexual activity but not exclusively
␟ Interest in others' bodies, particularly the opposite sex, that may take the form of looking at photos or other published material
␟ Sexual play with younger children
␟ Any sexual activity between children of any age that involves coercion, bribery, aggression, secrecy, or a substantial peer or age difference

Adolescents, Ages 13–17

␟ Masturbation in private
␟ Mutual kissing
␟ Sexual arousal
␟ Sexual attraction to others
␟ Consensual sexual activity amongst peers
␟ Behavior that contributes to positive relationships
␟ Masturbation causing physical harm or distress to self and others
␟ Public masturbation
␟ Unwanted kissing
␟ Voyeurism, stalking, sadism (gaining sexual pleasure from others' suffering)
␟ Non-consensual groping or touching of others' genitals
␟ Coercive sexual intercourse/sexual assault
␟ Coercive oral sex
␟ Behavior that isolates the young person who displays the sexually abusive behavior and is destructive of his/her relationships with peers and family
Ages of Consent

1. Children under the age of 12 cannot consent to a sexual act under any circumstances.

2. Children ages 12 to 15 are able to consent to a sexual act as long as there is not a 4 year age
difference.

3. Children ages 16 & 17 are able to consent to a sexual act as long as the other party if not
over 30 years of age.

4. Person in a position of trust cannot engage in sexual intercourse with any child.