Macer seeks stricter regulations on age of consent and indiscretion

INDIANAPOLIS – State Representative Karlee Macer (D-Indianapolis) announced today she is pursuing harsher penalties against those who commit child seduction.

During the 2017 session of the Indiana General Assembly, Rep. Macer says she will file a bill that will toughen the penalties for child seduction and create a new offense called indiscretion, which focuses on individuals in schools who engage in any sexual conduct with a child between the ages of 16 and 18.

“This issue was brought to my attention by Indianapolis Police Detective Chuck Gold, who specializes in missing person’s cases,” said Rep. Macer. “As we looked at the laws in Indiana, we found a gap in penalizing someone who commits sexual misconduct through child seduction.”

Under current state law, child seduction (a person over 21 years of age commits any sexual activity with a child between 16 and 18 years of age) is considered a Class A or B Misdemeanor.

Rep. Macer’s bill would make that crime a Felony 6, which would provide penalties of up to two-and-a-half years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

“At the same time, we wanted to bring more attention to the rising numbers of these crimes committed by people in the teaching profession,” Rep. Macer said. “That led us to create the offense of indiscretion, which would give school corporations additional tools to move quickly to penalize a teacher who engages in this conduct. These penalties could include revoking their licenses, terminating their contracts, and even additional legal action.

“Taking away a teacher’s license is a way to ensure and hold them accountable for their actions. That way they won’t be allowed to harm our children in the future,” continued the legislator, who said she is considering a proposal to raise the age of consent in Indiana to 18 years of age.

At present, Indiana law provides harsh penalties for child molestation (an adult engages in any sexual act with a child under 14 years of age. Violators can receive up to 30 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Sexual misconduct (a person over 21 years of age commits any type of sexual conduct with a child between 14 and 16 years of age) carries a prison sentence and a fine.

“We also want to use this legislation to provide the means for victims to be heard inside the courtroom,” Rep. Macer said.