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 Indiana, it is illegal for educators, including teachers, to engage in sexual contact with students under the state's child seduction laws. Indiana Code 35-42-4-7 specifically criminalizes sexual relationships between a person who has a professional relationship with a child, such as a teacher, and that child if the child is at least 16 years old but less than 18 years old. This law applies even if the student has reached the age of consent, which is 16 in Indiana. Violation of this statute is a felony, and the severity of the charges can vary depending on the circumstances of the case, including the age of the student and the nature of the sexual contact. This statute reflects Indiana's recognition of the inherent power imbalance in the student-teacher relationship and the need to protect students from potential exploitation.