To me, there's a difference between, these girls and rapists : these girls didn't use violence to force the kids to have sex.
They used persuasion, seduction.
Violence isn't a necessary component of rape. If you have sex with a girl who is passed out drunk, you will likely (and rightfully) be convicted of rape. But an adult having sexual relations with an underage person does open them up to at least statutory rape charges in many states.
And two of them did it on 18 years old kid. So they shouldn't be charged of pedophilia.
I agree with that. I didn't go back and read who was charged with a crime and who wasn't. But I'd say the ones who had relations with students who were of age may have just been dismissed for ethical reasons or for violating their employment contracts.
Jason was in the military. I believe there are rules against fraternization between officers and enlisted personnel in the Army, yes? We're talking about adults dating adults there - but it's still not allowed. And since one would know that when the contract is signed (just as teachers have employment contracts), once you violate the contract, one shouldn't be surprised if he or she is fired or dismissed for breaching the contract.
Someone mentioned CEO's dating younger employees. As long as both parties are of age and the company has no rules against that, it's allowed and that's the business of the two people involved. If there are company rules against that sort of thing, then one or both parties may face disciplinary action. At one of my former companies, we were not allowed to date anyone who reported to us. But if I chose to, I could date someone who reported to another manager. As long as she wasn't a direct report, it was allowed. But I've generally not dated anyone who worked in the same facility as I have... it gets messy at some point.
Whether it's a 22 year old teacher dating an 18 year old student or a 40 year old professor dating a 21 year old student, I don't have an issue with institutions setting rules against that. But in the case of adults "hooking up" with underage people, I support that being against the law and I support those people being prosecuted. And the younger the victim, the more severe should be the punishment. The gender of the offender and the victim should be COMPLETELY immaterial. The physical appearance of the offender and the victim should be COMPLETELY immaterial.