Sexual offences (sometimes known as sexual assaults or sex crimes), occur when someone does not or cannot consent to a sexual behaviour, act or acts. Sexual offences are considered serious crimes by Victoria Police.
Our ongoing commitment is to support sexual offence victims and hold their perpetrators to account.
What defines a sexual offence
Sexual offences or sex crimes include sexual behaviours that can make the victim feel:
- confused
- uncomfortable
- frightened
- threatened
- violated
- shamed.
People who experience a sexual offence will react in different ways. There is no right or wrong way to feel about your trauma.
Sexual offences are never the victim’s fault.
Types of sexual behaviours considered offences
These sexual behaviours can include:
- rape
- sexual or inappropriate touching
- sexual assault
- child sexual abuse
- elder sexual abuse
- Sexual exposure of genitalia (also known as flashing)
- image-based sexual offending
- stealthing
- stalking
- grooming.
Who commits sexual offences
Sexual offences are often committed by someone known to the victim, such as family or friends.
Sexual offending can occur anywhere.
There is no time limit to report a sexual offence
It is never too late to report a sexual offence, assault or sex crime.
We will respond to all reports of sexual offences, no matter when they occurred.
Understanding consent and sex
Consent is a free and voluntary agreement between people to engage in any sexual activity. Lack of consent may be considered a criminal offence.
In Victoria, the age of consent is 16 years old. A child cannot give consent, therefore sexual activity is automatically considered child abuse.
In the case of some adults living with a disability or older Victorians, consent may not be relevant.
Learn more about consent and sexual activity.
Sexual exposure of genitalia (also known as flashing)
Sexual exposure of genitalia is the deliberate exposure of private body parts in public. It is sometimes known as flashing.
Deliberate public exposure and masturbation in public is a crime. Accidental exposure does not constitute a criminal offence.
There are also separate offences if there is sexual activity, such as masturbation, directed at a child who is under 16, or aged under 17 in circumstances where the child is under care, supervision or authority. This offence can take place anywhere and is not limited to public places.
Where sexual exposure laws apply
Sexual exposure can happen if it is seen from a public place, even if it is not committed in a public place.
Sexual exposure laws do not apply in places where nudity is accepted, such as nude beaches or places reserved for adult entertainment.
Image-based sexual offending
Image-based sexual offending involves someone producing, sharing or threatening to share an intimate photo or video of a person without their consent.
Learn more about image-based sexual offending.
Sextortion (sexual extortion) scams
Sextortion is when someone tricks or blackmails you into sending them your compromising, sexual, or intimate images or videos.
Learn more about sextortion scams and how to report them.
Consent and sexual offences and child abuse
Explore what consent means, how it applies to sharing intimate images, the law and how police can help.
How to report a sexual offence
Report a recent or historical (past) sexual offence to Victoria Police on our Report a sexual offence page.
How to report child abuse
Report a recent or historical (past) case of child abuse to Victoria Police on our Report child abuse page.
Updated