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 generally includes aggravating circumstances that increase the severity of the sexual assault—such as when the assailant or perpetrator uses, displays, or threatens the victim with a deadly weapon (a gun or knife); when the assailant uses a rape drug to incapacitate the victim; or when the victim is a child under a certain age, as defined by the statute.

In Oregon, sexual assault encompasses various non-consensual sexual acts, including rape, sodomy, and unlawful sexual penetration. The state's laws define these crimes with specific criteria regarding lack of consent and the nature of the act. Aggravated sexual assault in Oregon is recognized when certain aggravating factors are present, such as the use of a deadly weapon, the administration of a controlled substance to facilitate the assault, or when the victim is a child below a certain age. Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) detail the degrees of sexual offenses and the corresponding penalties, which can be severe and include lengthy prison sentences. The exact age that defines a child victim and the specific punishments for aggravated sexual assault can be found in the ORS, and they reflect the increased severity of the crime due to the aggravating circumstances.