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 Rhode Island, the criminal offense of sexual assault of a child is addressed under the state's sexual assault laws, which are found in Title 11 (Criminal Offenses) of the Rhode Island General Laws. Specifically, Chapter 11-37 outlines various degrees of sexual assault, including those against children. The law defines first-degree sexual assault to include engaging in sexual penetration with a person under the age of 14 when the perpetrator is more than three years older than the victim. Rhode Island law does not require the perpetrator to know the age of the child for the act to be considered a criminal offense. The acts described in the provided topic, such as causing penetration or contact between a child's sexual organs and the perpetrator's, would fall under these statutes and be prosecuted accordingly. The severity of the charges and penalties can vary based on the specific circumstances of the offense, including the age of the child and the nature of the act. Convictions for sexual assault against a child can result in significant prison time and mandatory registration as a sex offender.