"These aren't 13- or 15-year-olds, for whom an argument about willingness can at least be made."

Yeah, try that in a courtroom sometime and see what happens. I'm sure once the "She was willing/she looked 18/she pulled off her underwear" argument settles over the courtroom, the prosecutor will drop the case and the judge will declare a parade in your honor.

Or they'll point out that intent, willingness of the victim, perceived age of the victim, are all irrelevant to the crime of statutory rape.

Unfortunately in the 70's that is how the defense got many rapists off. By blaming the victim for being provocative and asking for it.

personally, i don't believe in statutory rape. either the person was willing or they were not. rape is rape. the concept of statutory rape is an outdated moral principle.