Recent public discourse has sparked a dangerous narrative, suggesting that the abuse of teenagers is somehow less “predatory” than that of younger children. By labeling 15-year-old victims as “young women,” some attempt to minimize the reality of trauma. However, the truth is clear: a minor is legally and psychologically a child.

A Secret Kept for Decades

After 30 years of silence, author Christina Wyman is sharing her truth. At age 16, she was targeted and groomed by a man in his mid-20s. He used calculated charm and the demand for absolute secrecy to exploit her. He framed the assault as a “fantasy,” preying on a teenager who was navigating a fractured home life and seeking the validation she lacked.

The Science of Vulnerability

Adolescents do not yet possess the neurological capacity to fully recognize manipulation or assess complex risks. Predators often target those experiencing emotional voids, using their adult status to mask exploitation as a “teaching” moment. Regardless of a child’s physical appearance or perceived maturity, they cannot provide informed consent to an adult.

A Nonpartisan Priority

Protecting children from exploitation is not a matter of politics; it is a fundamental human necessity. We must shift the burden of shame from the survivors to the predators and those who justify their actions. Our society owes it to every child to ensure their safety and hold abusers accountable, without exception.