c. 265, § 22A
Rape of child; punishment
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever has sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse with a child under 16, and compels such child to submit by force and against his will or compels such child to submit by threat of , shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life or for any term of years. A prosecution commenced under this section shall neither be continued without a finding nor placed on file.
Simplified explanation
Rape of a child under 16 by force or threat of bodily injury is punishable by up to life in state prison.