What are: sexual assault, indecent assault?

What is sexual assault?

Generally speaking, sexual assault is any type of unwanted sexual behaviour that makes someone feel uncomfortable, intimidated or afraid. This includes:

• Putting a penis, object or other body part in the victim’s vagina or anus, or putting a penis in the victim’s mouth. This is called penetration.
• Contact between the mouth and genitals.
• Being touched on the genitals by the abuser.
• Being forced to touch the abuser on their genitals.
• Being forced to look at, or pose for, pornographic photos/videos.
• Being forced to perform sexual acts while the abuser watches.
• Being forced to watch while the abuser performs sexual acts.
• Sexual suggestions/jokes, repeated sexual innuendo or harassment.

Sexual assault is about power. Sexual assault is a violent crime expressed through sexual acts. Sexual assault is against the law.

What is indecent assault?

Indecent assault is considered any assault that occurs under “indecent circumstances” and that is not covered by the list shown above under ‘What is sexual assault?’

This typically means things such as:

• Being touched over your clothes
• Being forced to touch someone over their clothes
• Being forced to kiss.

Indecent assault is against the law.

Links

• The law and sexual assault, for people aged over 16

Just the facts

• Am I old enough to have sex?
• I was abused in the past – what can I do?
• I’ve just been sexually assaulted – what can I do?
• More about my options
• Mythbusters about children
• Mythbusters about family violence
• Mythbusters about girls
• Mythbusters about guys
• Mythbusters about offenders
• Reporting an assault to the police
• What are: incest, rape?
• What are: sexual assault, indecent assault?
• What is: child abuse?
• What is: consent?
• What is: family violence?
• What is: sexual harassment?