Teen Sex Abuse Loophole Subject Of State House Legislative Push

BOSTON — State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) and Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker were among the speakers at a Monday news conference at the State House on a package of bills designed to close a loophole that officials said allows adults in a position of authority and or trust to enter sexual relationships with juveniles as young as 16 years old.

Sen. Lovely said the bill is about "protecting children from abuse in any and all forms.

"This bill ensures that individuals in positions of trust face consequences if they exploit their authority to harm a child," Lovely said. "It is crucial to hold those who take advantage of our young people fully accountable for their actions and for the damage they cause to children and families across the Commonwealth.

"I have been fighting for this legislation for years because protecting children is not just a policy priority — it is an obligation."

Under current law, there is no legal recourse for those in a position of authority who cultivate a trusting relationship with a minor as young as 16 that then turns sexual. One such example given was from the parents of a girl who formed a relationship as a 16-year-old with her 49-year-old teacher that at some point they said became a sexual and controlling one.

"In less than a year, he convinced her to have a physical relationship with him, lie for him, and ultimately leave her family for him," the parents said in a letter. "It is unfathomable to us that under Massachusetts law our daughter, who didn't have her license, couldn't vote, or buy cigarettes or alcohol, was considered legally capable of giving consent to her 49-year-old teacher, and that her parents, the school and law enforcement had no legal recourse against him."

"The legislation picks up where internal or handbook rules leave off, and we need the force of law. This commonsense approach is the right path to follow, and I strongly support these two bills," Tucker said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)