statutory rape

noun

: sexual intercourse with a person who is below the statutory age of consent

Examples of statutory rape in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Investigators are also looking into allegations of statutory rape against Sean Combs, the source said. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024

He has been charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and statutory rape. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024

He was arrested and booked on suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment and statutory rape. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024

Then Polanski, who has not returned to the United States since fleeing while awaiting sentencing for statutory rape, was named best director over the favorites, Marshall and Scorsese. —Sarah Bahr, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024

He was imprisoned at age 19 for statutory rape, signed a series of bad contracts that cost him as much as 50% of his income and developed a persistent alcohol problem. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2024

The 36-year-old father faces one count of endangering the welfare of a child, while the 26-year-old teacher was arrested on charges of statutory rape and molestation. —USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024

Seven years later, two underage girls accused the golden age movie star of statutory rape. —Variety Staff, Variety, 24 Jan. 2024

He was arrested in 2008 and, the following year, convicted of misdemeanor statutory rape. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

statutory rape

noun

stat·​u·​to·​ry rape ˌstach-ə-ˌtōr-ē- 

: sexual intercourse with a person who is below the age of consent as defined by law

Legal Definition

statutory rape

noun

: rape consisting of sexual intercourse with a person beneath an age (as 14 years) specified by statute

Note: Many state statutes also specify a minimum age of the perpetrator or an age differential (as at least four years) between the perpetrator and the victim. Consent of the victim and belief that the victim is of the age of consent are usually considered immaterial. Statutory rape is now codified under various names, such as rape in the second degree, rape in the third degree, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, and criminal sexual conduct in the second degree.