Which statement best defines sexual assault?

Which statement best defines sexual assault?

• A. Intentional sexual contact characterized by the use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent.
• B. Unintentional contact.
• C. Consent is always given.
• D. Non-sexual harassment.

Answer: (A)

Sexual assault is about intentional sexual contact that happens through coercion or without the person’s freely given consent. The key elements are intent to engage in sexual contact, and some form of pressure or lack of true consent—through force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of a position of authority. If the person cannot or does not consent, the act qualifies as assault, regardless of whether there was overt physical injury. This distinguishes it from unintentional contact and from harassment that isn’t sexual in nature. In contexts like the military, abuse of authority or coercive pressure by someone in a higher position makes the act clearly a sexual assault.

Sexual assault is about intentional sexual contact that happens through coercion or without the person’s freely given consent. The key elements are intent to engage in sexual contact, and some form of pressure or lack of true consent—through force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of a position of authority. If the person cannot or does not consent, the act qualifies as assault, regardless of whether there was overt physical injury. This distinguishes it from unintentional contact and from harassment that isn’t sexual in nature. In contexts like the military, abuse of authority or coercive pressure by someone in a higher position makes the act clearly a sexual assault.