If someone older than the age of consent has sex with someone younger than the age of consent, its legally considered rape. If its illegal, you may feel like you need to keep your relationship with this person a secret.

Is dating a younger girl illegal?

California – The age of consent in California is 18. It is illegal for anyone to engage in sexual intercourse with a minor (someone under the age of 18), unless they are that persons spouse. California employs a tiered system where the greater the difference in age, the greater the penalty.