Teacher sex with 18-year-olds not illegal according to court

[pokerfan]

SEATTLE — State law does not bar teachers from having consensual sex with 18-year-old students, an appeals court ruled Tuesday in dismissing a case against a former Hoquiam High School choir teacher.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jan/13/court-teacher-sex-18-year-olds-not-illegal/

:wtf: I don't care whether the student is 22 and having sex with his/her college professor. It's still an abuse of the student-teacher relationship.

In my opinion, of course.

[Dr. Strange]

1. I suspect the court was distinguishing between the abuse of trust and criminal behavior.

A teacher/professor who engages in such conduct with an adult student can certainly be fired, but not necessarily incarcerated.

[LeftyMom]

2. It seems like most of the male instructors at my college are married to/dating/screwing students

whether current or former. Once they're 18 it's consensual. Sketchy as all shit, but consensual. And if you think about it, school is your workplace, and most people meet their life partner at work.

[pokerfan]

4. a classroom is different from your average workplace

The state’s code of professional conduct for teachers still prohibits any sexual advance toward or contact with pupils, whatever their age, and they can be fired for it. Sexual contact with students younger than 16 is considered child rape or molestation.

[skygazer]

3. Well, it should be something addressed in the teacher's contract

And should be grounds for dismissal. But that's different from being a criminal offense.

[petronius]

5. I don't think it's a criminal matter here in CA either, but it's highly unethical

I'd also imagine that it would be a gimme sexual harassment suit, given the power disparity in the relationship...

[Ava]

6. not illegal though

the court isn't supposed to make rulings based on morals.. just the law.

[philosophie_en_rose]

7. Maybe not criminal, if the student was 18.

However, it is still an abuse of a relationship and would be surprised if it weren't still grounds to terminate the teacher.

[Jamastiene]

8. It's illegal in NC, but it happens anyhow.

Of course, I am the female version of Walter from The Hot For Teacher video, so not for me when I had my massive crushes. :(