Washington legal term
Sexual abuse in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Sexual abuse” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Washington criminal code.
What does “Sexual abuse” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Sexual abuse" means any form of nonconsensual sexual conduct including, but not limited to, unwanted or inappropriate touching, rape, molestation, indecent liberties, sexual coercion, sexually explicit photographing or recording, voyeurism, indecent exposure, and sexual harassment. (RCW 7.105.010)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Commercial sexual abuse of a minor
- Intercepting, transmitting, or recording conversations concerning controlled substances or commercial sexual abuse of a minor
- Permitting commercial sexual abuse of a minor
- Promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor
- Promoting travel for commercial sexual abuse of a minor
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.