Sexual Offense Law & Legal Definition
Sexual offenses includes such crimes as rape, sodomy, and sexual abuse. Most states have laws, which vary by state, on registraton of sexual offenders. The registered sex offenders are required to notify the local community authorities of their residence so that the public may have access to information about sexual predators in their neighborhood.
Rape is generally defined as sexual intercourse with a person by forcible compulsion; or sexual intercourse with a person who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated; or sexual intercourse with an underage person. Sodomy is defined similarly to rape, except that it involves deviate sexual conduct, as opposed to intercourse. Sexual abuse involves similar elements of force or lack of consent, but involves sexual contact, rather than intercourse or deviate sexual acts. Definitions vary by state, so local laws need to be consulted to determine the applicabe law in your area.
Evidentiary rules regarding sexual abuse of young children vary by jurisdiction. Such abuse may be established through medical records and expert testimony. There is considerable debate over the techniques and diagnostic tools used by experts to establish sexual abuse in very young children and those who claim repressed memories.
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