A person generally commits the criminal offense of sexual assault of a child—regardless of whether the person knows the age of the child at the time of the offense—if the person (1) causes the penetration of the anus or sexual organ of a child by any means; (2) causes the penetration of the mouth of a child by the sexual organ of the person; (3) causes the sexual organ of the child to contact or penetrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of the person or another person; (4) causes the anus of a child to contact the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of the person or another person; or (5) causes the mouth of a child to contact the anus or sexual organ of the person or another person.

The naming and definition of the criminal offense of sexual assault of a child varies from state to state. These criminal offenses are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Arkansas, the criminal offense of sexual assault of a child is addressed under the state's sexual assault laws, which are part of the Arkansas Criminal Code. Specifically, sexual assault in the first degree, second degree, third degree, and fourth degree are defined under Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 5-14-124 to 5-14-127. The statutes cover various acts of sexual contact and penetration with a child, including those listed in the provided description. The law does not require the perpetrator to have knowledge of the child's age to be charged with the offense. The degree of the charge typically depends on factors such as the age of the victim, the age difference between the offender and the victim, the nature of the act, and whether force or coercion was used. Sexual assault of a child is a serious felony in Arkansas, and convictions can result in significant prison time, fines, and registration as a sex offender.