Texas law on dating under 18 and 16 year old

This is because, in Texas, anyone under 17 is considered “too young” to consent to sex. If you’re an adult and your sexual partner is under 17, it’s considered statutory rape regardless of whether or not your partner consented. This means that anyone in the state over the age of 17 can legally consent to sex. That’s where the Texas Romeo and Juliet Law comes in. In an era of increased social awareness, with movements like #MeToo, bringing justice to victims is critical. That’s why statutory rape laws were enacted: to protect victims by establishing the age at which they can consent to sex.īut what about the blurred lines, where age gaps exist in relationships and online dating makes it easier to fake your age? One in 5 girls and one in 20 boys experience sexual assault in their lifetime.

Texas Romeo and Juliet Laws: What You Need to Know