What does 'Sexual assault' mean?

[singlecoil]

Following on from the cab driver drugging case
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7943339....

I wonder what the term sexual assault actually means. Wikipedia not much help

I would presume that it means some kind of sexual activity that stops short of rape, otherwise they would call it rape?

[AlexKP]

I think that's pretty much right.

[muckymotor]

The term can also include rape.

[Eric Mc]

I think the key word is "assault".

[Lord Pikey]

I was about to post the same question.

How does it differ from rape?

[singlecoil]

Eric Mc said:

I think the key word is "assault".

It may be key, but it is also rather meaningless

[condor]

I think assault is lack of consent by the person being assaulted.

[Eric Mc]

In law, "assault" has plenty of meaning.
It implies force, unwillingness of the victim, coercion, taking advantage of etc etc etc.
Obviously, in any court case, the prosecution has to show that these elements existed in the case being tried.

If an individual doesn't understand what the word "assault" actually menas, they could find themselves in big trouble.

[Urban_Ninja]

wacking someone with ones member?

I think that would constitute 'sexual assault' the same as rape, or giving someone a squeeze as they are standing at the water cooler.

it can cover a range of different things

[Tony*T3]

As little as a grope or as much as anything up to rape. I'd suggest they were mostly 'violated' but not usually raped.

[GAjon]

Urban_Ninja said:

wacking someone with ones member?

No, Thats assault with a friendly wepon.

[Johnny]

singlecoil said:

Following on from the cab driver drugging case
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7943339....

I wonder what the term sexual assault actually means. Wikipedia not much help

I would presume that it means some kind of sexual activity that stops short of rape, otherwise they would call it rape?

You could always try and hit whichever strumpet you have been stalking your eye on with your best moves...

Then wait and see what you get charged with. Should give you some indication?

HTH

[ShadownINja]

It's easy. Just don't touch a lady's rude bits without her permission and you'll be fine.

[10 Pence Short]

ShadownINja said:

It's easy. Just don't touch a lady's rude bits without her permission and you'll be fine.

What if it's asleep?

[NWTony]

I believe rape is defined as none consensual vaginal sex, so sexual assault covers the rest?

[sprinter885]

10 Pence Short said:

ShadownINja said:

It's easy. Just don't touch a lady's rude bits without her permission and you'll be fine.

What if it's asleep?

My OH's lady bits seem to be always asleep

[Nickyboy]

10 Pence Short said:

ShadownINja said:

It's easy. Just don't touch a lady's rude bits without her permission and you'll be fine.

What if it's asleep?

It?

[kxaddict]

Well a person can commit assault without even making contact with another individual. Even words are sufficient..

[hunt_the_fox]

If you want the legal definition- the Crown must prove to the requisite standard (so the jury are sure)-

1. That the defendant touched the victim
2. That the touching was sexual in nature
3. That the victim did not consent to the touching
4. That the defendant did not reasonably believe that the victim consented to the touching.

You can't commit a sexual assault without touching. Common law rules of assault do not apply to the Sexual Offences Act.

Edited by hunt_the_fox on Saturday 14th March 12:28

[EvoDelta]

GAjon said:

Urban_Ninja said:

wacking someone with ones member?

No, Thats assault with a friendly wepon.

There is actually a new word for this in Dutch - 'Swaffelen' (actually voted the word of the year for 2008!)

Edited by EvoDelta on Saturday 14th March 16:46