What circumstances will raise a charge of sexual assault?

Many people associate sexual assault with rape. There is no error in doing so since rape is a type of sexual assault. The problem arises when people believe that rape and sexual assault are the same thing.

What Is Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a broad category of crimes. To sum them up collectively, the term refers to unwanted sexual contact. The victims of these crimes are individuals who are somehow exposed to non-consensual acts of a sexual nature or who have certain acts imposed upon them against their will. Crimes that are often listed in this category include attempted rape, indecent exposure, and child sex abuse.

Acts That Qualify

There are numerous actions that can result in a person facing sexual assault charges. In many cases, this crime arises from sexual harassment in the workplace. If one individual fondles another or makes a threatening demand for sex, he may be found guilty.

Outside of the workplace, charges may arise from the electronic transmission of sexual images, jokes, or suggestions. Leaving sexual paraphernalia at a person’s residence or in her car may qualify as sexual assault. Acts that involve a person subjecting a child to inappropriate acts such as requesting that she touch one’s genital or expose her own may lead to a conviction of sexual assault.

Aggravated Sexual Assault Charges

Although state laws vary, there is a category of acts that qualify as aggravated sexual assault and which carry harsher penalties. These generally involve penetration, maiming, disfiguration, or the threat of death.

All sexual assault charges are serious, however. Anyone accused of such a crime should immediately contact a criminal defense attorney.