Inappropriate relationship?

Tammy is 15 years old and has just started coming in to your school counseling office once a week because her parents are concerned with the relationship that has developed between Tammy and Gary their next door neighbour. Gary is 38 years old, married with 2 children and has being giving Tammy drum lessons over at his house twice a week. Tammy seems to be spending a lot more time over there during the week which her parents are concerned about as it does not seem “normal” to them for a man 23 years older than Tammy wanting to spend that much time with young girl.

After a few weeks with talking to Tammy she confides in you that Gary has been giving her presents but telling her to keep them a secret. You are concerned with what Tammy has been telling you and you feel that Gary’s relationship with her seems to be becoming more inappropriate. In your sessions Tammy starts asking you questions about sex. Tammy is aware that 16 is the legal age to consent to sex. Tammy tells you that it is her birthday in a few weeks and she is excited to turn 16 and is thinking about having sex but does not tell you who with and begs you not to tell anyone.

You are concerned she is thinking about having sex with Gary, and are disturbed by Gary’s age and that he is married with children but Tammy’s trust is most important to you and you do not want to break that.