18 U.S.C. § 2244 (b) – Abusive Sexual Contact / Federal Sexual Battery Law
Federal law prohibits sexual battery as “abusive sexual contact.” This is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2244 as knowingly engaging in sexual contact with another person without that person’s permission.
The specific conduct prohibited is “the intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing” of a private areas or even “the inner thigh, or buttocks” of the victim. The physical act has to be accompanied by the intent to “abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.”
The maximum penalty for abusive sexual contact under 18 U.S.C. § 2244(b) is 2 years in prison and mandatory restitution to the victim.
18 U.S.C. § 2242 – Sexual Abuse / Federal Rape Law
Sexual abuse is defined under federal law 18 U.S.C. § 2242 as knowingly engaging in a sexual act with someone incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct or who cannot consent, or threatening the victim, or raping the victim. Sexual abuse or federal rape is punished by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. An attempt to commit an act of sexual abuse is punished the same as the completed act under federal law.
18 U.S.C. § 2241 – Aggravated Sexual Abuse / Federal Rape Law
Under, 18 U.S.C. § 2241, Aggravated Sexual Abuse is defined under federal law as knowingly causing another person to engage in a sexual act with you by force, threat, impairing their judgment or rendering the victim unconscious. This is a very serious crime punished by life imprisonment. An attempt to commit an aggravated sexual abuse is punished the same as the completed act.
