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 Pennsylvania, sexual assault is defined under Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Sexual assault includes forced sexual intercourse, sodomy, or other sexual penetration without the consent of the victim. Aggravated sexual assault, a more serious offense, involves circumstances that increase the gravity of the offense, such as the use of a deadly weapon, the administration of a drug to incapacitate the victim, or the victim being a child below a certain age. Pennsylvania law specifically addresses these aggravating factors in its criminal statutes, with severe penalties for offenders. For instance, the use of force or threat of force during the commission of the act, or if the victim is unconscious or unaware that the sexual assault is occurring, can lead to charges of aggravated indecent assault or rape, which are felonies of the first degree. The exact definitions and punishments can be found in Sections 3121 through 3126 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to fines, or both, depending on the severity of the offense and the presence of aggravating factors.