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 Iowa, it is illegal for educators, including teachers, to engage in sexual contact with students, regardless of the student's age or consent. Iowa law specifically addresses the abuse of a student by an employee of a school, making it a criminal offense. This is covered under Iowa Code Section 709.15, which prohibits sexual exploitation by a school employee. Under this statute, an employee of a school district or accredited nonpublic school is prohibited from engaging in any sexual conduct with a student for whom they are responsible. This law applies even if the student has reached the age of consent, which is 16 in Iowa. Violation of this law can result in serious charges, including felony charges, and the severity of the punishment can vary depending on the circumstances of the offense and the age of the student involved.