Causing a person with a cognitive impairment or mental illness to be present during sexual activity
52E Causing a person with a cognitive impairment or mental illness to be present during sexual activity
S. 52E inserted by No. 47/2016 s. 16.
A person (A) commits an offence if—
another person (B) engages in an activity; and
the activity is sexual; and
another person (C) is present when B engages in the activity; and
A intentionally causes or allows C to be present when B engages in the activity; and
C has a cognitive impairment or mental illness; and
A—
provides treatment or support services to C; or
is a worker for a service provider that provides treatment or support services to C; and
A's causing or allowing C to be present when B engages in the activity is contrary to community standards of acceptable conduct.
A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable to level 6 imprisonment (5 years maximum).
Whether or not causing or allowing C to be present when B engages in the activity is contrary to community standards of acceptable conduct depends on the circumstances.
For the purposes of subsection (3)—
the circumstances include—
the purpose of the activity; and
whether A seeks or gets sexual arousal or sexual gratification from B engaging in the activity or from the presence of C;
the circumstances do not include—
whether C consents—
to being present when B engages in the activity; or
to B engaging in the activity; or
whether A believes that C consents—
to being present when B engages in the activity; or
to B engaging in the activity.
Notes
1 An exception applies to this offence—see section 52G.
2 Defences apply to this offence—see sections 52H, 52I and 52J.
3 A mistaken but honest and reasonable belief of certain matters is not a defence against this offence—see section 52K.
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