Most states prosecute educators (teachers) for improper sexual contact with students under the state’s statutory rape laws—which are premised on the student being under the age of consent recognized by law, even if the student was a willing participant.

But some states have enacted specific statutes making it a crime—often a felony—for an educator to have sexual contact with a student—even if the student has reached the age of consent (17 years of age, for example).

Laws vary from state to state, and laws governing sexual contact between educators and students are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Oklahoma, it is illegal for an educator to engage in sexual conduct with a student. The state has specific statutes that address the issue of sexual misconduct by educators, which are separate from statutory rape laws. Under Oklahoma law, it is a crime for any employee of a public or private secondary school to have sexual relations with a student of that school who is under the age of 20. This applies even if the student has reached the age of consent, which is 16 in Oklahoma. The law recognizes the inherent power imbalance and the position of trust and authority that educators hold, which is why it criminalizes such conduct regardless of the student's consent. Violations of these statutes can result in felony charges, leading to severe legal consequences for the offending educator, including imprisonment, fines, and the loss of their teaching license.