I don't know about Vermont law, but in most states a 16-year-old
cannot give consent to sex with an adult (in some states they can give consent to another minor). The news reporting here is either irresponsible or sloppy.
The rationale of "I loved her and wanted to marry her" is very typical flawed thinking on the part of an adult who has sex with children, and the fact that a vulnerable child was persuaded to participate in the relationship does not constitute consenusal sex. When every aspect of a person's life is under the total control of another--food, shelter, education, medical care, psychological care, when they sleep, when they eat, what they read, whether they may speak to another student,
when they can graduate and be liberated from the program--there is nothing consensual (legally or otherwise) in the behavior.
Isolated residential treatment environments are absolutely ideal settings for those with an intention to sexually abuse the vulnerable people under their control. The fact that other students, staff, family, neighbors and friends were unaware of this 40-year-old's sexual behavior around children is in no way testimony to "he couldn't possibly do it." Child sexual abuse is so epidemically widespread--1 in 8 to 10 boys, 1 in 5 girls are victims--means that people in all our lives who we know, trust, admire and love are engaging in sexual behavior around children and we are unaware. Fact. Adults who sexually abuse children engage in highly secretive behavior, often for many years before being caught, and fear disclosure of their behavior to family and friends more than they fear disclosure to law enforcement. The fact that the behavior is taboo in society adds to its appeal--the taboo fuels the widespread appeal of pornography depecting "barely legal" girls and boys.
It is important to note that when offenders complete specialized treatment for sexual behavior problems--again they must complete specialized treatment--87% do not reoffend. The recidivism rate is
lower than for other crimes of violence and greed.
If you or someone you know is having sexual thoughts around children, I urge you to visit
http://http://www.stopitnow.org.
Auntie Em