Sexual assault is generally forced sexual intercourse, sodomy, or other sexual penetration of another person—against the person’s will and without the person’s consent. And although precise definitions and punishments vary from state to state, the criminal offense of aggravated sexual assault of a child includes the aggravating circumstance of the victim being a child under a certain age, as defined by the statute—which increases the severity of the crime.

In Idaho, sexual assault is defined under the state's criminal statutes, specifically Idaho Code § 18-6101, which outlines the crime of rape. Rape in Idaho is defined as the penetration, however slight, of the oral, anal, or vaginal opening with the perpetrator's penis accomplished with a female under any one of several circumstances, including force or by any threat of violence, or where the victim is incapable of giving legal consent. Aggravated sexual assault of a child is considered a more severe offense and is addressed under Idaho Code § 18-1508, which criminalizes lewd conduct with a minor child under sixteen. Additionally, Idaho Code § 18-1508A deals with sexual battery of a minor child sixteen or seventeen years of age. The law in Idaho recognizes the vulnerability of children and imposes harsher penalties for sexual offenses involving minors, which can include life imprisonment. The exact punishment for these crimes can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case, including the age of the victim and the nature of the offense.