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  Lawmakers question age of consent
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ContributorThe Sunset Provision 
Last EditedThe Sunset Provision  Jan 31, 2007 12:46pm
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MediaNewspaper - The State
News DateWednesday, January 31, 2007 06:00:00 PM UTC0:0
DescriptionSome South Carolina lawmakers say an investigation at Ware Shoals High School involving students, a cheerleading coach and two National Guardsmen should prompt the Legislature to consider changing the age at which teenagers can legally consent to sex.

A S.C. National Guardsman and a former cheerleading coach each had sex with students, according to Greenwood County sheriff’s reports. But the adults do not face sex charges because the students were at least 16 — old enough to consent in South Carolina.

“We should certainly change that to 18,” said House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston. “The fact that a 16-year-old can consent is not something I was aware of until this occurred. I suspect a lot of members of the Legislature and citizens of South Carolina did not know.”

Rep. Anne Parks said she thought teens couldn’t legally consent until they turned 18. “I just learned yesterday it was 16. I was very surprised,” the Greenwood Democrat said. “I still consider 16 to be a minor.”

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