In South Carolina, the current consent laws are failing our youth. As it stands, the legal age of consent is 16. While this might seem clear-cut, there are various nuances and loopholes that allow for significant inconsistencies and potential abuse. One of these complexities is the 'Romeo and Juliet' law, which provides an exception for those who are 18 years old or younger engaging in consensual conduct with a partner at least 14 years of age. Additionally, the fact that individuals as young as 11 can reportedly consent is deeply concerning.

As a community, we must come together to protect our young people. The idea that children as young as 11 can legally engage in consensual activity is troubling. This creates an environment where coercion and exploitation can easily take place, as these children are not mature enough to make such life-altering decisions. The law, as it stands, not only fails to protect them but inadvertently exposes them to potential harm. The only person this law is protecting is the older individual who should have absolutely no interest in anyone that much younger than them. We have laws that don’t protect our youth, but when/if anything happens to effect their health/future this is a life long consequence they never understood to begin with. 

This affects me personally because I have a daughter who is 15. Who was pursued by a Junior(17) when she was in Eighth grade (14) why is an almost graduate looking at a middle schooler? Due to the police not helping me because “of the laws” this continued behind my back this past school year with him taking her from school, police having to hunt them down, him being 18 now and sneaking in my 15yo room and my 11yo catching them. The 17yo had several girlfriends, he and my daughter never dated and only used her for sex and I have texts of him saying so to his at the time gf. My child had a pregnancy scare, told him, he blocked her, and her tried to commit suicide by OD. The most the court system/police have to offer me is charging him with “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” because he took her from school on several occasions without my knowledge. All of this could have been prevented with police help and clearer laws. And since when is that more important than my child’s health? (I personally do not agree with abortion, wouldn’t make my child get one) I would also try to talk her out of one, but IF it came down to it, that’s not even an option and the risks with restrictions on medical care depending case by case, we should definitely be doing more to protect our youth! Just another fact, if he at 18 has pictures of my child nude on his phone, that carries more charges than him actually having intercourse with my daughter. But the police have yet to check it, almost a year after my first report. 

The law should be unequivocally clear that minors cannot consent to sexual activities. Other states have set precedents by increasing the age or creating more robust protections to ensure the safety and well-being of minors. South Carolina must follow suit and introduce more stringent age of consent laws to ensure that our children are protected and that anyone involved in such activities is held accountable and appropriately penalized.

I am urging lawmakers to take a stand and amend the current laws. This change would prevent the misuse of the loopholes in the current legal framework and would provide clearer, stronger protections for our youth.

Join me in calling for an amendment to South Carolina's consent laws. Sign this petition today to demand safer and more just consent laws that protect our children and ensure justice for all.