California · Civil Code

CIV §1708.5: (a) A person commits a sexual battery who does any of the following: (1) Acts with the intent to cause a harmful or offensive contact with an intimate part of another, and a sexually offensive contact

What this law says, in plain English

Sexual battery occurs when a person intentionally makes harmful or offensive contact with another person's intimate part in a sexually offensive manner.

Read the full statutory text
(a) A person commits a sexual battery who does any of the following: (1) Acts with the intent to cause a harmful or offensive contact with an intimate part of another, and a sexually offensive contact with that person directly or indirectly results. (2) Acts with the intent to cause a harmful or offensive contact with another by use of the person’s intimate part, and a sexually offensive contact with that person directly or indirectly results. (3) Acts to cause an imminent apprehension of the conduct described in paragraph (1) or (2), and a sexually offensive contact with that person directly or indirectly results. (4) Causes contact between a sexual organ, from which a condom has been removed, and the intimate part of another who did not verbally consent to the condom being removed. (5) Causes contact between an intimate part of the person and a sexual organ of another from which the person removed a condom without verbal consent. (b) A person who commits a sexual battery upon another is liable to that person for damages, including, but not limited to, general damages, special damages, and punitive damages. (c) The court in an action pursuant to this section may award equitable relief, including, but not limited to, an injunction, costs, and any other relief the court deems proper. (d) For the purposes of this section: (1) “Intimate part” means the sexual organ, anus, groin, or buttocks of any person, or the breast of a female. (2) “Offensive contact” means contact that offends a reasonable sense of personal dignity. (e) The rights and remedies provided in this section are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.