Editing Indecent assault (section)

==England and Wales==
Indecent assault was a broadly defined offence under sections 14 and 15 of the [[Sexual Offences Act 1956]]. It was replaced, with prospective effect only, by [[sexual assault#England and Wales|sexual assault]] under section 3 of the [[Sexual Offences Act 2003]].  A range of acts toward the more severe among those in its ''[[actus reus]]'' augmented other offences, including [[rape]] (section 1).

Prosecutions can proceed under sections 14 and 15 of the 1956 act for offences committed before the new law came into force.

The ''[[mens rea]]'' and ''actus reus'' of the crime are similar to that for [[Common assault|common law assault and/or battery]], but with an additional element of "indecent circumstances". These were present if a "reasonable person" would believe the act indecent, whatever the belief of the accused.