sexual assault

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Thân thiện
Definition

Noun: 1. A criminal act involving unwanted sexual contact: "Sexual assault" is a legal term for a crime where one person knowingly forces or threatens another person into an unwanted sexual act. It is defined by statute and encompasses a range of non-consensual sexual behaviors.

Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The new legislation broadened the legal definition of sexual assault.
    • Survivors of sexual assault have access to confidential support services.
    • The prosecutor charged the defendant with sexual assault.
Advanced Usage
  • "alleged sexual assault": Used to describe an accusation of sexual assault that has not yet been proven in a court of law.
    • The university is investigating the alleged sexual assault reported last week.
  • "sexual assault survivor/victim": Terms used to refer to a person who has experienced sexual assault.
    • The center provides counseling for sexual assault survivors.
Variants and Related Words
  • Sexual battery (n): A similar legal term often used interchangeably with or as a category within sexual assault statutes, typically emphasizing physical contact.
  • Aggravated sexual assault (n): A more severe charge that may involve factors like use of a weapon, serious injury, or assault against a minor.
Synonyms
  • Rape (n): Often used specifically to denote non-consensual sexual intercourse, though legally it is frequently categorized as a form of sexual assault.
  • Sexual violence (n): A broader term that includes sexual assault as well as other crimes like sexual harassment and exploitation.
Related Phrases
  • Sexual assault kit (SAK) (n): Also known as a "rape kit," this is a set of items used by medical professionals to collect forensic evidence following an alleged sexual assault.
    • The hospital stored the sexual assault kit as evidence.
  • Statute of limitations for sexual assault (n): The legally defined time period after an offense during which legal proceedings may be initiated.
    • The state extended the statute of limitations for sexual assault.
Noun
  1. a statutory offense that provides that it is a crime to knowingly cause another person to engage in an unwanted sexual act by force or threat
    • most states have replaced the common law definition of rape with statutes defining sexual assault

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