Sexual
Offences

The offence of rape is when a person uses their penis without consent to penetrate the vagina, mouth, or anus of another person. As the offence requires a penis and penetration a person without a penis cannot commit rape. However, a female may be guilty of rape if they assist a male perpetrator in an attack.

Assault by Penetration?

The offence of Assault by penetration is where a person intentionally penetrates the vagina or anus of another person with any part of their body or an object without that person’s consent. The penetration must be sexual.

Sexual Assault?

The offence of Sexual assault is where a person intentionally touches another person sexually without their explicit consent. The non-consensual touching can be done with any part of the body or with an object.

The offence can be committed by other children and by both men and women.

A Child is defined as any person under the age of 18. Such offences involve forcing or inciting a child to take part in sexual activity, regardless of whether the child is aware of what is happening and/or the level of violence.

Child Sexual Abuse may involve physical contact such as rape or oral sex, or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing, and touching outside of clothing.

Child Sexual Abuse can also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or exploiting or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet) or prostitution.