The Broad-Cast, Episode 28: Statutory Rape, David Bowie, and Unreasonable Laws (Patreon)

Heyo, Patrons! What's crackalackin? It's Friday, and today I would normally be posting Hannibal, but *tear* it's over and done, and the first episode of Justified isn't until next week, so I am filling the hole in your hearts with The Broad-Cast!

The whole trio is back this week, and we decided that after the history of David Bowie and a groupie came to light, that we would talk about that and about statutory rape in general. There's a lot of grey area when it comes to statutory rape, and there can be a real conflict between the law and simple common sense at times. 

For example, pictured is Zach Anderson, 20, who was almost sentenced to being on a sex offender registry for 25 years because a girl of 14 admitting to lying to him and said she was 17. In cases like that, what's the dude supposed to do, ask to see a driver's license? I mean, I was a late bloomer and didn't get my license till I was 18, so that is hardly foolproof. Plus, she admitted she lied. Thankfully, he was resentenced and faces a much more reasonable punishment now.

But then in cases like David Bowie's, the simple truth isn't so simple. The woman does not claim she was raped, but she was only 14 and he was 25, so should that matter? Aren't statutory rape claims supposed to protect the vulnerable who may not be ready to give consent to someone. especially when the power and age dynamic is so dramatically skewed? And even if we agree that she wasn't raped, don't we have to look at the kind of creepy culture that makes grown men want to fuck middleschoolers? 

Anyway, I sure hope you all enjoy the episode, and I will be seeing you tomorrow with Harry Potter!