Indecent assult

[Morrisonker]

I'm going to give a statement to the police tomorrow regarding an attack on a young girl (aged 16) who I vaguely know.  At first I was told it was a rape (by a friend) but the police confirm it was indecent assult. Can anyone tell me exactly what comes under this title?  I don't want gory details, but a general hint.  I don't know if her age is a factor in the charge or not.  Obviously it won't change what I say in the statement, but I'd like to know what the man is being accused of.

[spiff]

As far as i'm aware, with no major judicial knowledge, "indecent assualt" covers a multitude of attacks from trying to kiss someone without their consent, up to and including the more grusome conotations. Also, there is now a charge of "unlawful penetration" which covers aspects of an attack which do not involve actual sexual intercourse. At the end of the day, you might not know what this man has been accused of until (if you have to or want to) attend court. Hope this helps.

[Hgrove]

I think the above is correct.  I did not know about unlawful penetration.  I understood that an act involving penetration was rape, whereas anything else was indecent assault, but I may be out of date.

[andy hughes]

I understand the law is pretty wide in its definition - it can be something like touching inappropriately, through actual holding, and onwards from there. the police will advise what information they feel you need to know. Good luck.

[bernardo]

You should say in your statement what you know, or what you saw, and you should not let it get influenced by what others have told you, or by what you think he is accused of.

 

However, in general terms, "rape" is specifically any act which involves penetration by the penis into the vagina or anus; "indecent assault" could be any other type of assault (from very serious to very minor) including molestation or just minor touching.

[AB Editor]

I feel I must draw users' attention to the following:

Important notice

Anyone asking about or attempting to name people involved in legal cases where injunctions or anonymity are in place will have their accounts terminated.

[Morrisonker]

Bernardo - I know this.  What I know couldn't be influenced by what happened during the actual attack.  Like I say, know matter what happened, it wouldn't change what I say.

It was more curiosity, the law seems to change so often in situations like this.

 

AB Editor - No worries there,but thanks anyway ^_^