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 New Hampshire, sexual assault encompasses a range of non-consensual sexual acts, including forced sexual intercourse, sodomy, or other sexual penetration. The state's laws define and penalize these acts under various degrees of severity, with consent being a key factor in determining the legality of the act. Aggravated sexual assault in New Hampshire is a more serious offense and includes situations where the victim is under a certain age, typically under 16, which is the age of consent in the state. The presence of a minor as the victim increases the gravity of the offense and, consequently, the potential penalties upon conviction. The specific statutes detailing sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault in New Hampshire can be found in the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) under sections 632-A:2 through 632-A:4. These laws outline the definitions, penalties, and circumstances that constitute each level of sexual assault offense.