Definition
The Sexual Offences Act 20032 defines rape and sexual assault in England and Wales. Under this legislation:
- The age of consent is defined as 16
- Intentional penetration of a child under the age of 13 is defined as rape
- Rape is defined as non-consensual penetration of the vagina, mouth or anus by a penis
- The non-consensual, intentional insertion of an object or part of the body other than the penis into the vagina or anus is defined as sexual assault by penetration.