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 contact with a student of that school who is under the age of 20. This is outlined in the Oklahoma Statutes, Title 21, Section 1123(B), which makes it a felony for school employees to engage in sexual behavior with students. This law applies regardless of whether the student has reached the age of consent, which is 16 in Oklahoma. The statute is designed to protect students from sexual exploitation by individuals in a position of authority and trust. Violations of this law can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment and the potential for the educator to be required to register as a sex offender.