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 Nevada, sexual conduct between educators and students is governed by specific statutes that make it illegal for teachers or other school employees to engage in sexual relationships with students, regardless of the student's age of consent. Nevada law, particularly under NRS 201.540, prohibits sexual conduct between a school employee and a pupil who is 16 or 17 years old, even if the student consents. This is considered a felony offense. The law is designed to protect students from potential abuses of power and to maintain the integrity of the educational environment. It is important for educators in Nevada to understand that any sexual contact with students can lead to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment and the loss of their professional license.