Sexual penetrationis the insertion of a body part or other object into abody orifice,such as themouth,vaginaoranus,as part ofhuman sexual activityorsexual behavior in non-human animals.
The term is most commonly used instatute lawin the context of proscribing certain sexual activities. Terms such as "sexual intercourse"or"carnal knowledge"are more commonly found in older statutes, while many moderncriminal statutesuse the term "sexual penetration" because it is a broad term encompassing (unless otherwise qualified) any form of penetrative sexual activity, includingdigital(i.e., thefingers) or with an object, and may involve only the most minimal penetration. Some jurisdictions refer to some forms of penetration as "acts ofindecency",or other terminology.
Definitions
editWhen apenisis inserted into a vagina, it is generally calledvaginal sex,vaginal intercourse,[1][2]or penis-in-vagina (PIV) sex.[3]When a penis penetrates another person'sanus,it is calledanal sexor anal intercourse.[4][5] Penetrativeoral sexmay involve penetration of the mouth by a penis (fellatio) or the use of the tongue to penetrate a vagina orvulva(cunnilingus). The tongue may also penetrate the anus duringanilingus.If one or more fingers are used to penetrate an orifice, it is calledfingeringor digital penetration. The insertion of an object, such as adildo,vibratoror othersex toy,into a person's genital area or anus may also be considered sexual penetration.
Unlawful
editPenetrativesex crimesare generally considered more serious thannon-penetrative sexcrimes,[6]and sexual penetration of a child even more so. A child below the statutoryage of consentcannot consent to acts involving sexual penetration. In laws, the termsexual penetrationis commonly used in relation to sex with children. Unlawful sexual penetration is generally an offense irrespective of how deep the penetration was and irrespective of whetherejaculationof semen took place.
Laws may distinguish particular forms of sexual penetration as part of the offense. For example, the law in theU.S. stateofOregonprovides:
"Unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree" is afelonythat occurs where the offender "penetrates the vagina, anus or penis of another with any object other than the penis or mouth of the actor", if the victim is "subjected to forcible compulsion", or is "under 12 years of age", or "is incapable of consent by reason of mental defect, mental incapacitation or physical helplessness"
— Unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree,Oregon Statutes § 163.411
In theUnited Kingdom,sexually penetratinga relativeis an offense.[7]
Various forms of penetration have at times been consideredobsceneand been prohibited. Works containing such penetrations may be consideredpornography.[citation needed]
See also
edit
penetrative use of objects|Sexual
penetrative use of objects]].References
edit- ^Starr, Cecie; McMillan, Beverly (2008).Human Biology.Cengage Learning.p. 314.ISBN978-0495561811.RetrievedApril 30,2013.
- ^"Sexual intercourse".Collins English Dictionary.RetrievedSeptember 5,2012.
- ^Savage, Dan (2021-09-21).Savage Love from A to Z: Advice on Sex and Relationships, Dating and Mating, Exes and Extras.Sasquatch Books.ISBN978-1-63217-383-6.
- ^Komisaruk, Barry R.;Whipple, Beverly;Nasserzadeh, Sara;Beyer-Flores, Carlos (2009).The Orgasm Answer Guide.JHU Press.pp.108–109.ISBN978-0-8018-9396-4.RetrievedNovember 6,2011.
- ^Carroll, Janell L. (2009).Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity.Cengage Learning.pp. 270–271.ISBN978-0-495-60274-3.RetrievedDecember 19,2010.
- ^Guidelines for sentencing, UKArchived2013-11-15 at theWayback Machine
- ^Sexual Offences Act 2003retrieved 24 February 2012