Statement by Rep. Kevin Van De Wege on Washington state's Appellate Court ruling regarding teacher-student sex

January 13, 2009

“I am disappointed in the court’s decision that does not bar teachers from having sexual intercourse with their 18-year-old students. Although 18-year-olds are legally considered to be adults, a teacher-student sexual relationship is inappropriate and has the potential to cause great harm to the student. Teachers and other school officials are considered authority figures, and regardless if a student consents to have sex, the student is always the more vulnerable party. I intend to sponsor legislation that will clarify the law by prohibiting a teacher or other authority figure from having sex with a high school student. Such relationships should, at a minimum, be grounds for dismissal of the teacher.”