What is the legal definition of sexual assault?
In terms of getting a protection order, “sexual assault” is defined as when anyone commits, threatens to commit, or puts you in fear that s/he will commit any of the following acts:
- aggravated rape;
- rape;
- mitigated statutory rape;
- statutory rape;
- aggravated statutory rape;
- rape of a child;
- aggravated sexual battery;
- sexual battery; or
- authority figure sexual battery.1
In addition, a victim of sexual exploitation of a minor or a human trafficking offense would also be able to file for a protection order.2
1 TN ST § 36-3-601(11)
2 TN ST §§ 36-3-602(a); 36-3-601(8)