I think the law should forbid teachers having sex with minor students, at all, ever. Even if there's absolutely no suggestion of coercion, grooming or undue influence. There's just no good reason to allow it and plenty to ban it.

However the 16 year old flat out told the court he's not a victim. Given all the facts given in the article, I'm inclined to believe him. Having sex at 16 doesn't make you a victim, half of all Millenials have had sex before their 17th birthday.

The court here was strictly asking if he was somehow mentally incompetent to consent to that sex, despite being of age to consent. As the defence pointed out, he's not somehow mentally disabled or so sexually naive that he would be too incompetent to understand what he was agreeing to. It's a wonder the jury took took 15 minutes to agree, they must have stopped for biccies and a cuppa.

Him not being a victim doesn't make her behaviour acceptable of course.

This case is a good example why QLD needs better laws that prohibit such behaviour outright and I reckon this case is likely to spur new legislation.