BCS Frenzy - College Football News and Opinions

12 is not 16.

by Allison on November 8th, 2007

There’s a problem with the world if a 17-year-old boy is having sex with a 12-year-old girl who he thinks is 16. Actually, there are a few problems. First, a 17-year old boy is having sex. Second, a 12-year-old girl is having sex. Third, a 12-year-old girl is dressing like she’s 16.

And I have to ask, where are the parents on this one?

The case I’m talking about, of course, is that of Oklahoma State linebacker Chris Collins Jr. Now 20, Collins was charged with having sex with a 12-year-old at an after-prom party. He says that she told him she was 16. She says that she did not. In fast, all she “recalls” is that he was on top of her and kissing her neck. Someone else at the party also being charged with sexual assault said that he saw the couple having sex.

Collins pled guilty, but I’ve been to a lot of parties, and here’s what I think happened…

It was dark. There was alcohol. A lot of alcohol. A lot of people for that matter. Someone looking pretty cute (with beer goggles at least) came up to Collins and started talking. They hit it off. They started canoodling in the corner. Things maybe went too far…or maybe didn’t. It was dark. Everyone was drunk. The person who confirmed that he saw Collins having sex probably saw something going on, but it might not have been sex. Who knows? If it was part of a plea bargain, he was probably willing to say that he saw it, even if he wasn’t 100% sure. They probably didn’t discuss age. Maybe he asked her what grade she was in and maybe she lied. But in any case, at a drunk party, age isn’t always something you talk about.

Sexual assault and sex with minors is something that I feel strongly about. I’m not sure that there is a worse crime in the world. However, in this case, I feel like the jury is making the right decision. Collins is likely going to get 5 years of prison time, but all served “under parole.” Which, that basically means he’s serving time, but without actually going to jail. He’s already out on good behavior. To me, that is fair. This kid’s life is already in ruins, and yes, he did make some dumb decisions, but so did she. And so did their parents. And so did their friends. Bottom line, from reading about the court proceedings, it doesn’t seem like Collins was saying to himself, “Look at that 12 year old. She’s hot. I want to have sex with a child. I’m going to hold her down and force her to do it.” It is more like that he was saying, “Look at that girl. She’s hot. Ugh I need another beer - I’m starting to sober up. Hey baby, what’s you’re name.” That’s probably the inner monologue of all 17-year-old guys are parties.

In any case, this is another reason why parents every NEED TO TALK TO THEIR KIDS ABOUT SEX. 12 is too young. Hell, in my opinion, 17 is too young. Talk to your kids about it. You don’t need to be overprotective to make a difference. All you need to do is listen.

AP Photo/Oklahoma State Athletic Department

Share This

Related Stories

• No related posts

POSTED IN: Trouble with the Law