Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What must be proven for someone to be found guilty of criminal sexual assault?

1. Intent to deceive

2. Physical injury to a victim

3. Unwanted sexual advances

4. Force or coercion during penetration

The correct answer is: Force or coercion during penetration

To establish guilt in a case of criminal sexual assault, it is essential to demonstrate that there was force or coercion involved during penetration. This element is critical because criminal sexual assault pertains specifically to non-consensual sexual acts, and the application of force or coercion is a key indicator that consent was absent. This requirement underscores the legal understanding that consent must be freely given and that any form of compulsion negates that consent, thereby categorizing the act as a criminal offense. The presence of physical force or coercion illustrates a clear violation of another person's autonomy and rights, which is a fundamental principle in sexual assault cases. In contrast, other elements such as intent to deceive, physical injury, or unwanted sexual advances, while they might be relevant in some contexts, do not specifically meet the legal threshold required to classify an act as criminal sexual assault. The focus is squarely on the presence of force or coercion during the act of penetration itself, making it the central component of proving guilt in these cases.