We've set down a number of age-based rules in our various societies, and it's not a bad idea to re-visit some of them from time to time. I've known pretty sophisticated 13-year-olds, and I've known allegedly full-grown adults that I wouldn't trust around the corner. But we have to draw lines somewhere. Nothing magical happens, for example, when you turn 18 years of age. But it's a good idea to have that bright dividing line between not old enough and old enough to sign a binding contract - a person has time to prepare himself or herself for that day. We carve out some exceptions for emancipated minors, but those are exceptions, and the person in question has to demonstrate sufficient understanding to qualify.
An 11 year old, generally speaking, isn't old enough to consent to sexual relations. I wouldn't say there's no way ever that an 11 year old couldn't make that decision, but I'm in favor of setting that bar as high as possible. If the necessary components of violence, coercion, threat, or surprise aren't present, then I'll defer to the prosecutor's decision to seek conviction on a lesser charge. The defense has to try something, but the court isn't required to follow this creep's line of argument.
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