Washington legal term
Sexual contact in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Sexual contact” 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 contact” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Sexual contact" means any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a person done for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either party or a third party. (RCW 9A.44.010)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Child molestation in the first degree
- Child molestation in the second degree
- Child molestation in the third degree
- Commercial sexual abuse of a minor
- Custodial sexual misconduct in the second degree
- Disclosing fabricated intimate images
- Indecent liberties
- Prostitution
- Sexual misconduct with a minor in the second degree
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.