{"id":373583,"date":"2016-04-11T01:22:34","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/kentucky-law\/kentucky-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-09-29T14:01:11","modified_gmt":"2024-09-29T19:01:11","slug":"kentucky-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/kentucky-law\/kentucky-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky Rape and Sexual Assault Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Kentucky Rape and Sexual Assault Laws<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/samuel-strom-j-d\/\">Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            September 29, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Each state criminalizes non-consensual sexual intercourse or rape. In Kentucky, &quot;sexual intercourse&quot; includes penetration of the sex organ of one person, no matter how slight, by another person&#8217;s body or by a foreign object manipulated by another.<\/p>\r\n<p>Kentucky has three separate laws that criminalize <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/rape.html\">rape<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>First-degree rape (<a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-040.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KRS 510.040<\/a>)<\/li>\r\n<li>Second-degree rape (<a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-050\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KRS 510.050<\/a>)<\/li>\r\n<li>Third-degree rape (<a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-060\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KRS 510.060<\/a>)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>This article highlights Kentucky&#8217;s rape, sexual assault, and sodomy laws.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Code sections<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) \u00a7\u00a7 <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-040.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>510.040<\/u><\/a> \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-060.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>510.060<\/u><\/a> (Rape)<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-532-060.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KRS<b> <\/b>\u00a7 532.060<\/a> (Sentence of imprisonment for a felony)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">First-degree rape<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Rape in the <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-040.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first degree<\/a> happens when a person engages in:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Sexual intercourse with someone by forcible compulsion<\/li>\r\n<li>Sexual intercourse with someone who isn&#8217;t capable of consenting to the act because they are either physically helpless or younger than 12.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Second-degree rape<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Rape in the <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-050.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">second degree<\/a> happens when a person is 18 or older and has sexual intercourse with someone who is:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Less than 14 years old<\/li>\r\n<li>Mentally incapacitated<\/li>\r\n<li>Incapable of consent due to an intellectual disability<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Third-degree rape<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Rape in the <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-060.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">third degree<\/a> happens when someone has sexual intercourse with another in the following circumstances:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The offender is 21 or older, and the victim is younger than 16<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender is 21 or older, and the victim is younger than 18 and lives in the offender&#8217;s foster family home<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender is in a position of authority or a position of special trust (defined in <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-532-045.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Ky. Rev. Stat. 532.045<\/u><\/a>), the victim is younger than 18 , and the victim came into contact with the offender because of the position of authority or special trust<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender is a jailer (or otherwise associated with the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice), subjects a person incarcerated, supervised, evaluated, or treated by the departments, and subjects them to sexual intercourse knowing that the victim is incarcerated, supervised, evaluated, or treated by the department<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender is a peace officer acting in their official capacity who subjects a person arrested, in custody, or investigated for the commission of a traffic or criminal offense to sexual intercourse<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Crime classifications and penalties<\/th>\r\n<td><p>First-degree rape: Class B felony; at least 10 but no more than 20 years in prison<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>If the victim is younger than 12 or the victim gets a serious physical injury, it elevates first-degree rape to a Class A felony (at least 20 years in prison, not more than 50 years, although the state may seek a life sentence).<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Second-degree rape: Class C felony;<b> <\/b>at least five but no more than 10 years in prison<\/p>\r\n<p>Third-degree rape: Class D felony; at least one but not more than five years in prison<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<h2><b>Sexual Abuse<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Sexually touching someone in an unwanted or offensive way is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sexual-assault-overview.html\"><u>sexual assault<\/u><\/a>. Kentucky defines it as sexual abuse and separates it into three degrees, as noted in the table below.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Code sections<\/th>\r\n<td><p>KRS \u00a7\u00a7 <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-110\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">510.110<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-130\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">510.130<\/a> (Sexual abuse)<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-532-060.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KRS<b> <\/b>\u00a7 532.060<\/a> (Sentence of imprisonment for a felony)<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-532-090.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KRS \u00a7 532.090<\/a> (Sentence of imprisonment for a misdemeanor)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">First-degree sexual abuse<\/th>\r\n<td><ol>\r\n<li>Subjecting another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion<\/li>\r\n<li>Engaging in sexual contact with someone incapable of consenting either because they are physically helpless, younger than 12, are mentally incapacitated, or have an intellectual disability<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender is 21 or older, the victim is younger than 16, and they subject the victim to sexual contact, the offender masturbates in the victim&#8217;s presence, or the offender masturbates while the victim can see or hear them via electronic means<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender is in a position of authority or a position of special trust (defined in <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-532-045.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>section 532.045<\/u><\/a>) and subjects a victim under 18 to engage in sexual contact or masturbates in their presence (either in person or via electronic means).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Second-degree sexual abuse<\/th>\r\n<td><ol>\r\n<li>The offender is at least 18 but youngerthan 21 and subjects a victim who is younger than 16 to sexual contact<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender is a jailer, works for, or is associated with the departments of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, or a detention facility and subjects someone who is at least 18 and who they know is incarcerated, supervised, evaluated, or treated by the departments or facility to sexual contact<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender is a peace officer who, while acting within their official capacity, subjects a person they have arrested, held in custody, or investigated for the commission of a traffic or criminal offense to sexual conduct<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Third-degree sexual abuse<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Subjecting another person to sexual contact without the victim&#8217;s consent<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Crime classifications and penalties<\/th>\r\n<td><ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-110.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">First-degree sexual abuse<\/a> is a Class D felony punishable by imprisonment between one and five years. But, if the victim is younger than 12, then the offense is a class C felony punishable by imprisonment of between five and 10 years.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-120.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Second-degree sexual abuse<\/a> is a class A misdemeanor<b> <\/b>punishable by up to 12 months in jail.<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-130.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Third-degree sexual abuse<\/a> is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<h2><b>Sodomy<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Kentucky also specifically criminalizes sodomy in certain circumstances. Sodomy is sexual intercourse involving anal or oral copulation. Kentucky refers to sodomy as &quot;deviate sexual intercourse.&quot;<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Code sections<\/th>\r\n<td><p>KRS \u00a7\u00a7 <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-070.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">510.070<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-100.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">510.100<\/a> (Sodomy)<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-532-060.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KRS<b> <\/b>\u00a7 532.060<\/a> (Sentence of imprisonment for a felony)<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-532-090.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KRS \u00a7 532.090<\/a> (Sentence of imprisonment for a misdemeanor)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">First-degree sodomy<\/th>\r\n<td><p>A person is guilty of <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-070.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sodomy in the first degree<\/a> when they:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Engage in deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion<\/li>\r\n<li>Engage in deviate sexual intercourse with a person who cannot consent because they are physically helpless or younger than 12.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Second-degree sodomy<\/th>\r\n<td><p>A person is guilty of<b> <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-080.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sodomy in the second degree<\/a> when they are at least 18 and they:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Engage in deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is younger than 14<\/li>\r\n<li>They engage in deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is mentally incapacitated or who cannot consent because they have an intellectual disability<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Third-degree sodomy<\/th>\r\n<td><p>A person is guilty of <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-090.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sodomy in the third degree<\/a> when they are:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>21 or older and engage in deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is younger than 16<\/li>\r\n<li>21 or older and engage in deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is younger than 18 and lives in the offender&#8217;s foster home<\/li>\r\n<li>At least 10 years older than the 16- or 17-year-old person with whom they engage with in deviate sexual intercourse<\/li>\r\n<li>A person in a position of authority or position of special trust who engages in deviate sexual intercourse with someone under 18 with whom they came into contact as a result of their position<\/li>\r\n<li>A jailer or other employee, contractor, vendor, or volunteer of the departments of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, or a detention facility and subject a person who is incarcerated, supervised, evaluated, or treated at one of those facilities or departments to deviate sexual intercourse<\/li>\r\n<li>A peace officer who, in their official capacity, subjects someone to deviate sexual intercourse that they arrested, held in custody, or investigated for the commission of a traffic or criminal offense<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Fourth-degree sodomy<\/th>\r\n<td><p>A person is guilty of <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-100.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sodomy in the fourth degree<\/a> when they engage in deviate sexual intercourse with another person of the same sex.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Note:<\/b> On sodomy in the fourth degree, consent is not an element of the offense. Also, it is not a defense that the other person consented to the sexual intercourse.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Crime classifications and penalties<\/th>\r\n<td><ul>\r\n<li>Sodomy in the first degree is a Class B felony. But, if the victim was under 12 or if they received a serious physical injury, it elevates to a Class A felony.<\/li>\r\n<li>Sodomy in the second degree: Class C felony<\/li>\r\n<li>Sodomy in the third degree: Class D felony<\/li>\r\n<li>Sodomy in the fourth degree: Class A misdemeanor<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<h2><b>Other Sex Crimes<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Kentucky law also specifically makes sexual misconduct and indecent exposure unlawful.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Code sections<\/th>\r\n<td><p>KRS \u00a7 <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-140.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">510.140<\/a> (Sexual misconduct)<\/p>\r\n<p>KRS \u00a7\u00a7 <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-148.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">510.148<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-150.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">510.150<\/a> (Indecent exposure)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Sexual misconduct<\/th>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-140.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual misconduct<\/a> happens when someone engages in either sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with another person without their consent. Doing so is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year of incarceration.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Indecent exposure<\/th>\r\n<td><p>A person is guilty of <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-148.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first-degree indecent exposure<\/a> when they intentionally expose their genitals under circumstances where they know or should know their conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to a person under 18. Upon conviction, they face the following penalties:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>First offense: Class B misdemeanor<\/li>\r\n<li>Second offense: Class A misdemeanor (if committed within three years of the first conviction)<\/li>\r\n<li>Third offense: Class D felony (if committed within three years of the second conviction)<\/li>\r\n<li>Fourth or subsequent offenses: Class D felony (if committed within three years of the prior conviction)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>A person is guilty of <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ky\/title-l-kentucky-penal-code\/ky-rev-st-sect-510-150.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">second-degree indecent exposure<\/a> when they intentionally expose their genitals under circumstances in which they know or should know their conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to a person who is 18 or older. Upon conviction, they face a Class B misdemeanor.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i><b>Note:<\/b> State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Consent<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Under most Kentucky laws on rape and sexual assault, an essential element is the lack of consent to the sexual contact. A lack of consent can result from:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Forcible compulsion<\/li>\r\n<li>Incapacity to consent<\/li>\r\n<li>If the charge is for sexual abuse, any situation in which the victim doesn&#8217;t agree (either expressly or impliedly) to the offender&#8217;s conduct<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The age of consent in Kentucky is 16 years old. Also, the following categories of people are legally incapable of giving consent in Kentucky:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Under 16<\/li>\r\n<li>Those with an intellectual disability or a mental illness<\/li>\r\n<li>Mentally incapacitated<\/li>\r\n<li>Physically helpless<\/li>\r\n<li>People under the care or custody of a state or local agency due to a court order (and the offender is employed by the state or local agency)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Kentucky does not specifically penalize statutory rape. Instead, the state has several statutes that penalize sexual conduct with a minor. Refer to the tables above for information about sexual activity with a person who can&#8217;t consent for more information.<\/p>\r\n<p><i>If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sex crime or experienced sexual violence, contact <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/rainn.org\/resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>The National Sexual Assault Hotline<\/i><\/a><i> or visit the <\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/www.kasap.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs<\/i><\/a><i> website.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Charged With Rape or Sexual Abuse? Contact an Attorney<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Sex crimes, especially rape and sexual abuse, are serious charges. A conviction could result in severe consequences, such as a prison sentence.<\/p>\r\n<p>Any time you face the possibility of prison time, it is in your best interests to contact a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sex-crime\/kentucky?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a> for legal advice. An experienced defense attorney can analyze your options and plan a defense strategy for criminal charges you may face. They can also give you information about the following, among other things:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>How a conviction for sexual offenses like sexual misconduct and indecent exposure can lead to a requirement to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/the-sex-offender-registry-what-you-need-to-know.html\">register as a sex offender<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Federal and state laws on sex crimes and other unlawful behavior<\/li>\r\n<li>Victims&#8217; rights and protections around sex crimes, like petitioning for an interpersonal protective order<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If you face sex crime charges, contact a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sex-crime\/kentucky\/=?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kentucky sex crimes attorney<\/a> today for legal help.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex cases usually require a lawyer\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Experienced lawyers can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Sexual assaults &#038; sex crime convictions often have long sentences and lifelong consequences\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sex-crime\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum\" title=\"Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer Directory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">If you need an attorney, find one right now.<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state.html\">\n                        Find Your State&#8217;s Laws\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/all-topics.html\">\n                        View All State Law Topics\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/statutes-of-limitations.html\">\n                        State Statutes of Limitations\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Popular Directory Searches<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sex-crime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sex Offenses Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/domestic-violence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Domestic Violence Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/drug-crime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drug Crime Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Criminal Defense Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/personal-injury-plaintiff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Personal Injury Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/premises-liability-plaintiff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Premises Liability Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sexual-abuse-plaintiff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Abuse Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article from FindLaw describes Kentucky&#8217;s laws and criminal penalties for sex crimes, including rape, sexual abuse, and sodomy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":373505,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2743],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[2962],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-373583","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-state","state_laws_tags-statelaws_18_1"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/373583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=373583"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/373583\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/373505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=373583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=373583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=373583"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=373583"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=373583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}