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 Massachusetts, the criminal offense of sexual assault encompasses a range of non-consensual sexual acts, including rape, which is defined as forced sexual intercourse, and other forms of sexual penetration against a person's will and without their consent. The state's laws also recognize offenses such as indecent assault and battery, which involve the touching, groping, or pinching of another person's body without consent for sexual gratification. These laws are detailed in the Massachusetts General Laws, specifically within the penal code. The severity of the charges and the associated penalties can vary based on factors such as the use of force, the age of the victim, and the relationship between the victim and the offender. It is important for individuals facing such charges or those who are victims of such offenses to consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable about Massachusetts' specific sexual assault statutes to understand the legal implications and the rights afforded to them under state law.