The criminal offense of sexual assault generally involves forced sexual intercourse, sodomy, or other sexual penetration of another person—against the person’s will and without the person’s consent.

Sexual assault laws vary from state to state, and in some states the traditional criminal offense of rape is defined as the criminal offense of sexual assault. In some states the touching, groping, or pinching of the body of another person without the person’s consent and for purposes of sexual gratification is defined as sexual assault—and in other states such nonconsensual sexual contact is defined as the criminal offense of sexual battery or forcible touching, for example.

Sexual assault and related criminal offenses are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Kansas, the criminal offense of sexual assault is addressed under the Kansas Statutes, particularly in the Kansas Criminal Code. The state defines rape as knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse with a victim who does not consent or is incapable of giving consent due to mental deficiency or disease, or when the victim is unconscious or physically powerless. Additionally, Kansas law defines criminal sodomy, which includes forced oral or anal sex. The state also recognizes sexual battery, which involves the touching or fondling of a person over the age of 16 without their consent for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. Kansas law is specific in its definitions and the penalties for these offenses vary based on the circumstances of the crime, such as the use of force or the age of the victim. It is important for individuals to understand that consent is a key factor in these laws, and lack of consent can result in serious criminal charges.