The Sexual offences Act repealed the common law definition of Indecent Assault and replaced it with Sexual Assault. Sexual assault is when a person unlawfully and intentionally sexually violates another person without their consent. This includes, amongst other things, direct or indirect contact of the genital organs, (for example through clothing), the anus or in the case of a female the breasts, the mouth of one person with the genital organs, anus or breasts of another person or masturbation of one person by another person – but it does not include the act of sexual penetration.

(See: Problem 1: Reporting rape or assault and going to court)