In the lead sentence of your report "Ex-Ravens cheerleader Molly Shattuck pleads guilty to rape" (June 16), you made a mistake that unfortunately is a common one.
You referred to the sexual abuse of an adolescent boy by an adult woman as an "affair." People who don't understand the devastating effects of the sexual exploitation of boys might even call it "getting lucky."
There is nothing lucky about the shame, helplessness and confusion of sexual abuse. The 15-year-old boy was violated.
Children can never consent to sex with an adult because there is an imbalance of power. Ms. Shattuck took advantage of the boy for her own gratification.
Until we recognize that an adult's sexual experiences with adolescents are inherently abusive, boys will continue to suffer their confusion and humiliation in isolation.
Emily Samuelson, Towson