In which case the age band of the adult should be lowered. A 23 year old shouldn't be having sex with a 14 year old at all. Even the 18 year old and the 14 year old is a bit dodgy. This is season 5 Dawn's age. If the adult was 18 or under then the new law should apply but to enable a 23 year old to not be labelled a sex offender for having sex with a 14 year old is wrong.
But the key term here is ”consensual”, no? While not advisable, it does happen that say a 19 year old dates a 15 year old and they consensually engage in what is legally termed ”statutory rape”. While one could argue that the 19 year old should know better, it is wise - in my opinion - to leave some leeway for the judges discretion whether or not he/she ought to be labeled a sex offender. I imagine, if it was a repeat offender, the judge would acknowledge that it was predatory behavior. But consensual statutory rape does not necessarily indicate a predator. Though, again, certainly inadvisable.
The law doesn’t appear to OK statutory rape, but rather give the judge opportunnuance the conviction to fit the crime. Which will be subject to the specifics of each situation.
A 19 year old sleeping with their significant other, consensually, shouldn’t necessarily be classified for life as a sex criminal or paedophile. Thinking that they should is very rigid and leaves no space for the grey areas that make up the mess of reality.
But then, I say that as someone who had a 21 year old boyfriend at 14, and though in hindsight I can feel like he was very immature to date someone so young, I also wouldn’t want him penalized forever for it. It was more complex than just looking at our ages implies.