# Is this statutory rape? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 12, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333 "2014-09-12T19:14:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/1 "2014-09-12T19:14:35Z")
Teenager charged with desecrating statute.[NSFW link](http://news.kron4.com/news/teen-could-get-two-years-for-facebook-photos-with-jesus-statue/) ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/2 "2014-09-12T19:42:43Z")
[Buh-dum-BUM](http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true)! ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/3 "2014-09-12T19:47:50Z")
On a more serious note… really, they still have laws like that? What qualifies as a “venerated object”? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/4 "2014-09-12T19:48:05Z")
Heh-heh, \*\*Bricker \*\*made a funny. Heads up\* to other Dopers – it’s not exactly a NSFW article, but the picture will make your boss do a double-take if you have it open on your work computer. - Heh-heh, now I made a funny. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/5 "2014-09-12T20:02:22Z")
> [@](#): > > Pennsylvania law defines desecration as “Defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise, physically mistreating in a way that the actor knows will outrage the sensibilities of persons likely to observe or discover the action.” Another reason my views on jury nullification differ from the OP’s. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/6 "2014-09-12T20:07:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Pennsylvania law defines desecration as “Defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise, physically mistreating in a way that the actor knows will outrage the sensibilities of persons likely to observe or discover the action.” You mean, playing the Accordion is illegal in Pennsylvania? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/7 "2014-09-12T20:12:26Z")
… bagpipes, too. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/8 "2014-09-12T20:13:43Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > On a more serious note… really, they still have laws like that? What qualifies as a “venerated object”? A venerated object is “any public monument or structure, or place of worship or burial;” or “any other object of veneration by the public or a substantial segment thereof in any public place.” ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/9 "2014-09-12T20:15:42Z")
[This statue](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/23/us-student-rescued-giant-vagina-sculpture-germany) fought back against sexual assault. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/10 "2014-09-12T20:17:56Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > A venerated object is “any public monument or structure, or place of worship or burial;” or “any other object of veneration by the public or a substantial segment thereof in any public place.” That strikes me as rather broad, but I ain’t the expert. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/11 "2014-09-12T20:23:55Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > That strikes me as rather broad, but I ain’t the expert. That’s what I was thinking. Any public structure? I guess the park bathroom is venerable. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/12 "2014-09-12T20:24:40Z")
Frankly I blame whoever made that statue. It’s crying out for someone to make it lewd. If you don’t want people to make inappropriate scenes with your jesus, don’t make him kneel with his face at crotch level. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/13 "2014-09-12T20:38:08Z")
> [@](#): > > Pennsylvania law defines desecration as “Defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise, physically mistreating in a way that the actor knows will outrage the sensibilities of persons likely to observe or discover the action. I’m thinking the charge is physically mistreating the statue by making it do him but not [reciprocating](http://www.collegehumor.com/post/6922548/why-are-so-many-people-giving-ronald-mcdonald-blow-jobs) ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/14 "2014-09-12T20:40:58Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I’m thinking the charge is physically mistreating the statue by making it do him but not [reciprocating](http://www.collegehumor.com/post/6922548/why-are-so-many-people-giving-ronald-mcdonald-blow-jobs) Number 9 looks like Ronald is about to do a little spanking too. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/15 "2014-09-12T20:41:22Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Frankly I blame whoever made that statue. It’s crying out for someone to make it lewd. If you don’t want people to make inappropriate scenes with your jesus, don’t make him kneel with his face at crotch level. The statue isn’t posed as you suggest. The kid had to climb up on the wall to get the statue “at crotch level.” ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/16 "2014-09-12T20:45:17Z")
I looked at the picture. I know how the statue was posed and anyone who saw it and didn’t think teenage boys are going to have a field day with this is surprisingly innocent-minded. edit: if anything it makes it worse. “Here, have a place to stand so that the statue’s head which would otherwise be difficult to reach becomes easy access.” ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/17 "2014-09-12T21:09:03Z")
> [@susan](#): > > [This statue](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/23/us-student-rescued-giant-vagina-sculpture-germany) fought back against sexual assault. that was apprehension. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/18 "2014-09-12T21:17:53Z")
I thought that was hilarious … and such bullshit that he’s being charged. He didn’t do anything \*to \*the statue; it was left unharmed and unchanged (I almost said “unmolested” but I changed my mind). If I were to post a picture of myself giving a crucifix or the Koran or any sort of Golden Mooby the finger, would I be up for the same charge? Being disrespectful of something isn’t the same as “defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise, physically mistreating” it. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/19 "2014-09-12T21:35:37Z")
Agreed. Count this as over-zealous cops and prosecutors. A more reasonable response would have been for the cops to visit his home, let him know that IF he ever did it again there would be trespassing charges, or public nuisance, or whatever. Just give the kid a little finger wag and be on their way. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2014, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333/20 "2014-09-12T22:13:15Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Frankly I blame whoever made that statue. It’s crying out for someone to make it lewd. If you don’t want people to make inappropriate scenes with your jesus, don’t make him kneel with his face at crotch level. Are you saying the statue was asking for it? So now we’re blaming the victim? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-statutory-rape/698333.md?page=2)