Which statement best describes the relationship between sexual abuse and sexual assault definitions?

Which statement best describes the relationship between sexual abuse and sexual assault definitions?

• A. Sexual abuse requires intercourse or oral sex without consent
• B. Both are knowingly or intentionally
• C. Sexual assault only applies to minors
• D. Sexual abuse includes all acts regardless of consent

Answer: (B)

Both terms hinge on the offender acting with knowledge or intent to engage in sexual conduct that the other person does not consent to. That mental state—knowing and purposeful disregard of another’s lack of consent—is the common thread that defines non-consensual sexual acts in definitions of sexual abuse and sexual assault. It’s not limited to intercourse or to minors; sexual abuse can cover a range of non-consensual acts, and sexual assault can apply to adults as well. The other statements either narrow the scope too much (only intercourse) or misstate who can be a victim or what the acts include.

Both terms hinge on the offender acting with knowledge or intent to engage in sexual conduct that the other person does not consent to. That mental state—knowing and purposeful disregard of another’s lack of consent—is the common thread that defines non-consensual sexual acts in definitions of sexual abuse and sexual assault. It’s not limited to intercourse or to minors; sexual abuse can cover a range of non-consensual acts, and sexual assault can apply to adults as well. The other statements either narrow the scope too much (only intercourse) or misstate who can be a victim or what the acts include.