As one of the most common crimes in the United States, many people are charged with sexual assault every year. However, some people don’t believe they did anything wrong. Sometimes they are right, sometimes they are not.

Sexual assault laws vary from one state to the next, however, this typically refers to a crime in which one person subjects another to sexual touching that is offensive and unwanted.

These crimes can include but are not limited to attempted rape, assault and battery, and sexual groping.

As you can imagine, there is some gray area in regards to proving sexual assault charges. While one person may feel they were the victim of this crime, another could say that they had consent.

Here is something to remember: Sexual assault is involuntary sexual contact through the use of force or coercion. The victim can also be incapacitated during a sexual assault, such as the result of having too much to drink or being drugged.

In many states, sexual assault is used as an umbrella term for other types of crime, such as unwanted sexual contact and rape.

Most states have also implemented sexual assault laws to cover assault against a spouse.

When you understand the basics of sexual assault, you can be rest assured that you have a clear idea of what is not permitted by the law. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry. And if you are charged with this crime, you should learn more about the victim’s claim as well as the defense strategy you can employ.

Source: FindLaw, “Sexual Assault Overview,” accessed March 30, 2016

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