Indecent assault

Indecent assault

Indecent assault is a form of sex crime in many jurisdictions. Indecent assault is defined by UK law as any unwanted sexual behaviour or touching which is forced upon people against their will.

The meaning of indecency depends upon prevailing views of what is unacceptable behaviour (Law reform Commission 1987). This might include behaviour such as forcing someone to watch pornography or masturbation. This is also related to physical attack cases, including but not explicit to unwanted oral sex.

The mens rea and actus reus of indecent assault are essentially as for common law assault and/or battery. However, there is the additional element of 'indecent circumstances'. `Indecent circumstances' are currently identified by the following:

*An offence is indecent if a 'reasonable person' would believe it indecent, whatever the belief of the accused.
*An offence is not indecent if a 'reasonable person' would believe it not indecent, whatever the belief of the accused.

If the offence cannot be assigned to either preceding category, then it will be indecent if it can be shown that the accused thought it indecent.


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • indecent assault — see assault Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. indecent assault …   Law dictionary

  • indecent assault — ► NOUN ▪ sexual assault that does not involve rape …   English terms dictionary

  • indecent assault — UK / US noun [countable/uncountable] Word forms indecent assault : singular indecent assault plural indecent assaults legal a sexual attack that does not involve rape …   English dictionary

  • indecent assault — N UNCOUNT Indecent assault is the crime of attacking someone in a way which involves touching or threatening them sexually, but not forcing them to have sexual intercourse …   English dictionary

  • indecent assault — noun : an immoral act or series of acts exclusive of rape or an attempt to commit rape committed by a male against the person of a female without her consent * * * noun [noncount] law : the crime of touching someone sexually without that person s …   Useful english dictionary

  • indecent assault — The act of a man in taking indecent liberties with the person of a female, such as fondling her in a lewd and lascivious manner. 6 Am J2d Asslt & B § 41. An indecent proposal followed by actual or attempted physical contact. Lynch v Commonwealth …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • indecent assault — /ɪnˌdisənt əˈsɒlt/ (say in.deesuhnt uh solt) noun an assault accompanied by an indecent act, such as sexual display or suggestion …  

  • indecent assault — inde′cent assault′ n. law the crime of touching or attacking another person sexually without consent Also called sexual assault …   From formal English to slang

  • indecent assault — noun sexual assault that does not involve rape …   English new terms dictionary

  • indecent assault — noun Date: 1855 an offensive sexual act or series of acts exclusive of rape committed against another person without consent …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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