Res. No. 188 Title Resolution condemning Judith Levine and her book, "Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children From Sex," in which she encourages minors to have sex and suggests that the statutory age for rape be reduced to 12 years old. Body By Council Members Oddo, Lanza, and Gallagher; also Council Member Rivera Whereas, Next month the University of Minnesota Press will release a book written by Judith Levine entitled "Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children From Sex;" and Whereas, This book condones sexual relationships between adults and minors; and Whereas, Ms. Levine said in an interview about her book that a sexual relationship between a priest and a youth could be positive; and Whereas, Ms. Levine cites the Dutch sexual age-of-consent law as a "good model" because it permits sex between an adult and a child as young as 12 years old; and Whereas, Ms. Levine argues that adults who want to deny young people the opportunity for positive sexual experience exaggerate the threat of pedophilia and molestation by strangers; and Whereas, The nation's largest public policy women's organization, Concerned Women for America's Culture and Family Institute, believe that "Child molesters are getting a big boost toward legitimacy with the University of Minnesota Press' publication of a book advocating sex with children. Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex is every child molester's dream -- and every parent's nightmare;" and Whereas, This book ignores a key fact - that children as young as 12 years old are incapable of giving meaningful consent to sex, and that any sexual consent given by a 12 year old would be coerced and would cause damage that could last a lifetime; and Whereas, Although no one disputes the author's First Amendment right to publish this book, it is nonetheless irresponsible to promote arguments that justify the actions of pedophiles; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of New York condemns Judith Levine and her book, "Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children From Sex," in which she encourages minors to have sex and suggests that the statutory age for rape be reduced to 12 years old.