Imagine you hear a news report on the radio about a person arrested for sexual assault and suspect they must have committed a serious crime. But what if we told you the person was wrongfully charged?

Understanding the difference between sexual battery vs sexual assault is key in this debate. The subtle nuances between the different offenses can make a world of difference in the court of law. This blog post will help to explain how. Read on!

Definition and Legal Ramifications of Sexual Battery

Sexual battery is an offensive or unwanted sexual contact, such as touching another person without their consent. It can refer to the touching of intimate body parts such as genitalia, breasts, and buttocks, as well as any unwelcome sexual contact or attention. This could include such acts as inappropriate jokes or gestures.

A person is guilty of the crime of sexual battery when they intentionally touch another person against their will and in a manner deemed sexual in nature. This crime is punishable by jail time and or a fine.

Definition and Legal Ramifications of Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a form of sexual violence and an egregious violation of a person’s right to dignity and bodily integrity. It is defined as any sexual contact made without the other person’s consent or any unwanted physical contact that causes harm to the victim. There are various forms of sexual assault, such as:

• rape
• forcible sodomy
• object sexual penetration

Legal ramifications of sexual assault vary from country to country. However, it generally involves prison sentences, fines, and mandatory treatment. It is a serious crime and a violation of fundamental human rights.

In most cases, the perpetrator is the person known to the victim and someone they trust. As a result, sexual assault is a crime that should never be taken lightly, and all efforts should be made to assure justice and safety for the victims. If you need legal help, don’t hesitate to call these sexual assault lawyers.

Discrepancies Between the Two Offenses

Sexual battery and sexual assault may seem like the same thing to some. However, there are critical discrepancies between the two offenses.

Sexual assault occurs when an individual force, threatens or uses coercion to engage in any sexual contact or attempted sexual contact with another person. Sexual battery, however, is defined as any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature or the threatened contact of an individual’s intimate parts or someone else’s intimate parts without their permission.

Sexual battery is often mistaken for rape; however, there is no penetration required for sexual battery. Penetration is a requirement for rape.

Additionally, sexual assault can include verbal and non-verbal communication. Whereas sexual battery can only include touching and threats of touching. 

Understanding Sexual Battery vs Sexual Assault

Sexual battery vs sexual assault is a criminal offense involving unwanted physical contact and sexual advances. Both are serious crimes with significant legal consequences. If you or a loved one has been affected by sexual battery or assault, seek help from a legal professional with experience in these cases today.

Keep reading our latest blog posts for more information!