What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is any type of activity that you do not want or agree to. It can range from inappropriate touching to penetration or intercourse. Sexual assault can also be verbal, visual, audio, or any other form which forces a person to participate in unwanted sexual contact or attention. All forms of sexual assault are crimes.

Sexual Battery Defined:

Rape is defined as forced sexual intercourse with a victim who is at least 12 years old. 

Sexual Assault includes a wide range of victimizations involving attacks in which unwanted sexual contact occurs between the victim and offender. 

Forcible Rape is the carnal knowledge of a person forcibly and/or against their will; or where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth, or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical capacity.

Statutory Rape is the carnal knowledge of a person without force or the threat of force when that person is below the statutory age of consent. In Florida, this is any sexual act between an adult age 18 or over with a child 15 or under; sexual intercourse between an adult age 24 or under and a child ages 16-17. (Title XLVI, Chapter 794, Florida Statute).

Forcible Sodomy is oral or anal intercourse forcibly and/or against their will, or where the victim is incapable of giving consent.

Forcible Fondling is the touching of private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, forcibly and/or against their will, or where the victim is incapable of giving consent.

Lewd and Lascivious includes fondling, indecent liberties, immoral practices, molestation and other indecent behaviors, including attempts at such behavior.

Other Sexual Assault includes gross sexual imposition, sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, including attempts. Martial rape tends to fall in this category.