Sexual offences are normally associated with, rape and attempted rape, sexual assault, possessing child exploitation material, unlawful carnal knowledge, sexual offences against children and indecent acts. Rape is broadly defined to be all forms of penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth.
In theory, no one form of penetration is any more serious than the other. The offence is gender neutral, which means that both men and women may commit rape or be victims of it.
Sexual assault offences occurs where a person, unlawfully and indecently assaults another, procures another person without their consent to either, commit an act of gross indecency or witness an act of gross indecency.
Indecent Treatment of Children include indecently dealing with a child in any number of ways. Procuring a child committed indecent act. Permitting a child to be indecently dealt with. Exposing a child to an indecent act. Recording an indecent visual image of a child. Child Exploitation Material include the making of, distributing and possessing material such as photographs or video images of real people who appear to be under the age of 16 years.
Legislation dictates that an offender convicted of a child images offence must receive an actual custodial sentence unless there are exceptional circumstances.
