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Legal Information: Tennessee

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of June 21, 2024

What is the legal definition of sexual exploitation?

Sexual exploitation is when someone does any of the following things in front of you without your consent and without a valid medical or caregiving purpose:

  • sexual contact as defined by law;
  • showing you his/her genitals;
  • exposing you to sexual acts;
  • exposing your sexual organs; or
  • any other act that the abuser knew or should have known would cause shame, humiliation, or other harm to your personal dignity.1

The reason that the person commits one of these acts could be:

  • for sexual pleasure; or
  • to show (disseminate) the act to others, knowing that it is offensive or embarrassing.1

1 Tenn. Code § 39-15-501(13)

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