Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Statutory rape
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Statutory rape: A legal term describing sexual intercourse between an adult and a minor. The adult can be found guilty of statutory rape in courts of law even if the minor was a willing partner.
"Statutory," which is derived from the Latin word "statuere" (to place), means pertaining to a statute, or law. "Rape" is derived from the Latin "rapere" (to seize).