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Sexual offences.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 offences: rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, offences against children, grooming, voyeurism, intimate image offences and exposure.

22 offences · points to prove, mode of trial and maximum sentence

Quick reference

OffenceLegislationMode of trialMaximum penalty
Administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offenceSexual Offences Act 2003, s.61Either way10 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Assault by penetrationSexual Offences Act 2003, s.2Indictable onlyLife imprisonment
Breaching a sexual harm prevention orderSentencing Act 2020, s.354Either way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Causing a child to watch a sexual actSexual Offences Act 2003, s.12Either way10 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consentSexual Offences Act 2003, s.4Either way (indictable only where the activity involves penetration)Life imprisonment where the activity involves penetration; otherwise 10 years' imprisonment (on indictment) or 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
ExposureSexual Offences Act 2003, s.66Either way2 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Failing to comply with sex offender notification requirementsSexual Offences Act 2003, s.91Either way5 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Meeting a child following sexual groomingSexual Offences Act 2003, s.15Either way10 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Outraging public decencyCommon lawEither wayNo statutory maximum on indictment (imprisonment and/or a fine at the court's discretion); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Possession of extreme pornographic imagesCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, s.63Either way3 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment) where the image portrays an act threatening life, serious injury or non-consensual penetration; otherwise 2 years and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
RapeSexual Offences Act 2003, s.1Indictable onlyLife imprisonment
Rape of a child under 13Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.5Indictable onlyLife imprisonment
Sending a photograph or film of genitals (cyberflashing)Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.66AEither way2 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Sexual activity in a public lavatorySexual Offences Act 2003, s.71Summary only6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine (level 5)
Sexual activity with a childSexual Offences Act 2003, s.9Either way (indictable only where the touching involves penetration)14 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary, non-penetrative touching only)
Sexual assaultSexual Offences Act 2003, s.3Either way10 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Sexual assault of a child under 13Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.7Either way14 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Sexual communication with a childSexual Offences Act 2003, s.15AEither way2 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Sharing or threatening to share an intimate photograph or filmSexual Offences Act 2003, s.66BEither way (s.66B(2), (3) and (4)); summary only (s.66B(1))s.66B(2) to (4) – 2 years' imprisonment (on indictment), 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary); s.66B(1) – 6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine
Taking, making or distributing indecent images of childrenProtection of Children Act 1978, s.1Either way10 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
VoyeurismSexual Offences Act 2003, s.67Either way2 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Voyeurism: upskirtingSexual Offences Act 2003, s.67AEither way2 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)

Tap an offence for the numbered points to prove, key definitions, defences and case law.

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