He doesn't need help. He needs to be locked up for good. I'm saying it because I have a young daughter.
It certainly matters. There's a huge difference between 12 and 15, physical and mental changes, maturation, and the majority of girls in the US haven't had sex at 12 but have by 15. Legally, there's even more difference. A 19 yr old having consensual sex with a 15 yr old isn't likely to get penalized severely unless there are aggravated circumstances. (and I'm not saying this case was consensual because I don't know)
15 is a sophomore or a freshmen in HS, you're kidding yourself if don't think boys and girls are having sex that early these days sometimes earlier. I'm not condoning what Shai did, if he knew how old she was then he should be booted, but from personal experience(I knew a lady who's daughter was 15 herself, but easily could pass for an 18 year old both physically and mentally) it is not uncommon for girls that age to look much older than they are. I've made this argument on the pay board, a year ago Shai could of been in HS since he was an early enrollee, technically the same rule would apply if an 18 year old senior had sex with anyone under 18, would it have been the same deal then? Again like I said before if he knew how old she was when they met on social media then cut ties, otherwise I'm willing to let this play out before crucifying him.
From a legal standpoint it matters a great deal.
I stand corrected. 22% at age 15 per a .gov website but it has also declined over the last several years... I think I got confused with another article I read on teens within a certain category. But it is still much higher than pre-13 which was 3.4%.
