title: Denormalizing a historical problem: teen pregnancy, policy, and public health action.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the impact of teen-adult sexual relationships as a public health threat and the effectiveness of statutory rape laws in protecting adolescent children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive review of current literature surrounding child abuse, teen pregnancy, and statutory rape was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of one million teen girls who become pregnant each year, two-thirds may be the victims of statutory rape. Current laws appear to marginalize the severity of teen- adult sexual relationships, compromising the health and safety of adolescent children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public health recommendations which include public policy change and enforcement, education, and community empowerment are offered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult, Counseling, Health, and Vocational Education, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242-0001, USA. tkandaka@kent.edu
authors.forename: Tina L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Kandakai
authors.forename: Leonie C R
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011634:Public Health; D011902:Rape / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*