What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual Assault is defined as any assault of a sexual nature. In the Canadian criminal justice system, Sexual Assault charges are among the most serious an individual can face. If convicted, aside from jail time, a stigmatizing criminal record may follow the offender for life.

What is Aggravated Sexual Assault?

The crime of Aggravated Sexual Assault that wounds, maims, disfigures or endangers the life of the complainant during the commission of a sexual assault. A wound is an injury that involves breaking the skin. To maim is to deprive the use of some part of the body by wounding.

“Wound” refers to any injury to the skin that causes bleeding, and it usually requires that the injury be serious and permanent. “Maiming” refers to an injury that makes an individual less able to fight. For example, maiming includes injuries such as broken bones. To “disfigure” refers to an injury that is more than temporary. “Endangerment” refers to the consequence of wounds, maiming or disfigurement. It is not necessary to have the intention to wound, maim or injure the complainant. It is sufficient to have an objective foresight of the risk of bodily harm.

What is the penalty for Aggravated Sexual Assault?

This offence is punishable to a maximum sentence of life in prison. There are also minimum sentences of incarceration, which vary depending on the circumstances of the offence.