What has Happened to the Green Mountain State … VT Legislature Considers Legalizing Teen ‘Sexting’ From Child Porn Laws … CONSENT?

Since when is 13 years old the age of consent in Vermont? What ever happened to personal responsibility and teaching kids the difference between right and wrong

Most people would think that the possibility of being prosecuted for child porn and branded a sex offender would be a deterrent for teenagers to stop “sexting”.   However, Vermont is looking to become the first state in America to provide protection to teenager against child porn laws who engage in sexting to one another with their cell phones. How are parents supposed to protect teens if the law makers refuse to? We have got to the point that just because teens commonly do “sexting” in the 21st century that it should just be allowed? Are we going to look the other way with the rest of the irresponsible acts of teenagers as well?

Vermont’s Legislature is considering a bill that, if approved, would make the state one of the first in the nation to grant legal protections to teenagers who send sexually explicit photos and videos to one another with their cell phones.

The law change is receiving widespread support from prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, women’s groups and others. Still, some advocates are questioning whether the proposal crosses the line between legalizing a common practice among teens experimenting with sexuality and protecting predators who target and exploit youngsters.

Why would anyone want to promote the practice of individuals sending explicit and nude pics and videos of themselves? That’s it Vermont and law makers, let’s promote and excuse irresponsible behavior of teens. Their is presently a bill in th Vermont Senate that would allow “consensual” exchange of graphic images between two people 13 to 18 years old and not be considered child porn.

Almost concurrently, though, the state Senate earlier this month endorsed a proposal that carves out a sexting exception to child-pornography statutes. The exemption covers only the consensual exchange of graphic images between two people 13 to 18 years old; other conduct would remain a crime.

The bill now moves to the House, where the Judiciary Committee plans to begin taking testimony this week.

CONSENT!!! 13 to 18 years of age, WTF!!! Since when can a 13 year old consent to anything? This would mean that the possibility could occur that a freshman in college could legally send a naked picture or sexually explicit video to an 8th grader and it be perfectly legal in the eyes of Vermont lawmakers. So law makers are going to promote the taking of nude pics that might just end up on the internet and ruin these teens lives in the future? Great.

Since when in 13 the age of consent in Vermont? How many parents would allow a 13 year old to date a 18 year old? If a state allows, what Chittenden County State’s Attorney T.J. Donovan called a “form of courtship,” then are we to presume that Vermont would say it is OK for a 13 and 18 year old to have sex? Would not that be the natural progression to courting?

§ 2602. LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS CONDUCT WITH CHILD

A person who shall wilfully and lewdly commit any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body, or any part or member thereof, of a child under the age of sixteen years, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions or sexual desires of such person or of such child, shall be imprisoned for the first offense, not less than one year nor more than five years, or fined not more than $3,000.00, or both; for the second offense, not less than two years and not more than ten years, or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both; and for the third or subsequent offense, not less than three years and not more than 20 years, or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both.

CHAPTER 64. SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN
§ 2828. Luring a child

(a) No person shall knowingly solicit, lure, or entice, or to attempt to solicit, lure, or entice, a child under the age of 16 or another person believed by the person to be a child under the age of 16, to engage in a sexual act as defined in section 3251 of this title or engage in lewd and lascivious conduct as defined in section 2602 of this title.

(b) This section applies to solicitation, luring, or enticement by any means, including in person, through written or telephonic correspondence or electronic communication.

(c) This section shall not apply if the person is less than 19 years old, the child is at least 15 years old, and the conduct is consensual. (Added 1999, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; amended 2005, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. May 26, 2006.)

§ 2822. Use of a child in a sexual performance

How about instead of changing the laws to allow this dangerous and irresponsible precedent, we teach children the difference between right and wrong? The reality is that children are having sex at younger ages, doing drugs and committing other crimes. Does that mean they should be given a free pass on this as well?

“The reality is kids in middle school and high school are sexting each other, and that’s what the Legislature is looking at,” she said. “A young person could get into significant trouble and get charged with a serious crime.”

Sears said his committee chose the age range to coincide with students in late middle school through high school — groups that often interact and form relationships. The law would continue to punish sexting committed through force, coercion or other pressures, and prohibitions against voyeurism still would apply, Sears said.

Also, passing along images to others would remain a crime. 

Vermont, while you are at it why don’t you make child prostitution legal to, if they consent?