While many states in America set the age of consent at 18, Texas law allows for anyone aged 17 or older to give their consent for sexual activity to anyone at or over the same age.
Statutory rape laws are based on the age of consent. The purpose of such laws is to prevent adults from taking advantage of minors who don’t yet fully understand the seriousness of sexual activity. For example, if a 23-year-old and a 16-year-old were in a relationship and had intercourse, the 23-year-old would be guilty of statutory rape, no matter if the 16-year-old provided his or her consent or not. It can even happen when the minor agrees to sexual activity.
Statutory rape occurs when a legal adult conducts any form of sexual activity with someone below the age of consent.