{"id":373391,"date":"2016-04-11T01:22:33","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-05-22T09:27:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T14:27:21","slug":"iowa-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Rape and Sexual Assault Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Iowa Rape and Sexual Assault Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

All states have rape and sexual assault laws making it illegal to engage in a sexual act with someone who doesn’t consent to the sexual activity. Iowa law refers to rape and sexual assault as "sexual abuse,\u201d regardless of the victim\u2019s age.<\/p>\r\n

This article examines and explains Iowa\u2019s sexual abuse laws, including the varying degrees and penalties for these sex crimes. If you\u2019re facing sexual abuse or sexual assault charges, speaking with a criminal defense attorney<\/a> is a necessity. Whether you\u2019re dealing with criminal charges for a misdemeanor or felony, the penalties are severe and will impact your personal and professional lives.<\/p>\r\n

Iowa\u2019s Criminal Code and Sexual Assault<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Iowa Code defines sexual abuse in a general manner before dividing the crime into three degrees: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. Iowa classifies all sexual abuse crimes as felonies<\/a>. The degree of the felony and the criminal penalties depend on the facts of the case.<\/p>\r\n

What Does the Prosecutor Have To Prove?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The prosecutor must prove each element of a criminal offense to gain a conviction. In sexual assault<\/a> cases, this requires that the state demonstrate the following:<\/p>\r\n