8. Sexual offences

Abstract

Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. Questions, diagrams, and exercises help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress. This chapter explores the main sexual offences, including rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, and intentionally causing a person to engage in sexual activity. It considers the defence of consent in sexual offences and the statutory presumptions relating to consent. Finally, it explores sexual offences committed against children, including rape of a child under 13, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, sexual assault of a child under 13, and causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Sexual offences against children under 16 and other child sexual offences are also briefly mentioned.