Sexual Offences Act 2003

The comprehensive statute consolidating and reforming the law on sexual offences in England and Wales. It defines rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, and a range of other sexual offences, and sets out the law on consent. It also created the sex offenders register, sexual harm prevention orders, and the notification requirements that apply to convicted sex offenders.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: rape (maximum life imprisonment)
• Section 2: assault by penetration
• Section 3: sexual assault
• Section 4: causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent
• Sections 74 to 76: consent and the presumptions about consent
• Sections 9 to 15: child sex offences
• Section 47: paying for sexual services of a child
• Sections 80 to 92: notification requirements (sex offenders register)
• Sections 103A to 103K: sexual harm prevention orders

Relevance to Policing

The primary reference for all sexual offence definitions, the consent framework, child sexual abuse offences, and the notification and civil order regime for sex offenders.