Yes, but asking if it's rape when you're redefining the concept of rape is a bit circular.
So according to the legal, accepted definition I'd say it's not rape
But according to the mumsnet definition it isn't.
We are not re-defining rape. We are discussing the concept of rape, how it would apply when looking at prostitution. Rape itself is open for debate on what can be included and as mentioned above.
Adala
Meanwhile society is fine with a 30 year old making that choice - even if she's had a shitty family, little or no education, no wealth, perhaps significant health problems or lower mental health and "maturity" due to an abusive and deprived life. She actually may have even less "choice" than that 12 year old (who could perhaps reach out to their parents or teachers for support, as I did). An adult not being able to manage their life is different to children in general who need help and protection from adults. Society dictates and expect that by the age 30, we as people know where we are in life, capable to make decisions about buying houses, getting jobs, looking after ourselves and other little humans in our care.
If a person gets to the age of 30 and cant manage mentally, they are the anomaly ( not meant in mean way). They are outside of our societies expectation of what an adult should be. Those who have mental disability that need constantly looking after, do get that care and have the law to look after them. There are those that sleep through the net because their mental disability do not fall into the category where they can get help throughout their lives. They are on the periphery, not easy to diagnose and not ill enough to get. Constant care for the rest of their lives or they were never really diagnosed.
Most mental health problems are not as severe. You can get counselling or medication to keep you going.
Some jobs you are not allowed to perform under theses circumstances but there are some when you declare you have been medicated for depression or similar, you are not given the job or dismissed or monitored constantly. (Your free will as a person is denied because they think you will be incapable of making important decisions expected of you).
If the cut of point included those on the milder-end and no one passed through without being missed as needing help, they might all actually get help. The state is financially incapable of doing this. We as society make mistakes too when making judgment on who needs help. There is a cut off point for both financial reason and ambiguity for the the cut of point for who really needs help and who doesn't. This is not very different if you compare it to rape. What the law finds understandable to prosecute and what is ambiguous grounds of rape due to luck of understanding.
A British person, on British street who is a homeless person more than likely has a mental disability of some form. Am not saying all but most.
But some people have sympathy for the former but not for the latter who is a grown-up and able to "make their own choices". Because she passed the age of 16 or whatever. There is an expectation for adults to be able to look after themselves, while you can't say the same for children. Teenagers have hormones to deal with too. An adult is there for guidance and offer protection.