Before you jump to conclusions about the title – no, this is not to prevent mandatory reporting of sexual abuse or illegal sexual behavior.

Teachers in an Oregon school district were recently told that when they learn, or suspect, a student is sexually active, they must report it to law enforcement or state officials. According to an article in the Statesman Journal, the laws are “meant to protect children, but the district’s clarification of the law is being criticized for being applied to sexually active, consenting teens.”

In Oregon, any person younger than 18 is unable to give consent, so any sexual activity, even consensual sexual activity between teens, is considered abuse and needs to be reported. While there is a 3 years age difference required for conviction, still, who wants consensual relations among high-school boyfriend/girlfriends reported to police?

A petition on Change.org has been started to challenge this policy.

Share This

Let's Spread Truth

Share this post!