{"id":377144,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:16","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-05-29T14:30:22","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T19:30:22","slug":"washington-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington 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\">Washington 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\/christie-nicholson-j-d\/\">Christie Nicholson, 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                            May 29, 2025\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>Sexual assault is a catchall phrase lawmakers use when referring to certain sex crimes, such as rape. Washington law defines <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/rape.html\">rape<\/a> as forcible sexual intercourse without the other person&#8217;s consent. The force can be physical or emotional and may involve any of the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Threat<\/li>\r\n<li>Intimidation<\/li>\r\n<li>Pressure<\/li>\r\n<li>Coercion<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>This article explains Washington\u2019s sexual assault laws, including the penalties and defenses to these sexual offenses.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you\u2019re facing sexual assault or rape charges, it&#8217;s a good idea to seek legal advice from an experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/washington\/?fli=dcta\" title=\"criminal defense attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a>. They\u2019ll help you develop your defense strategy and attempt to negotiate with the state prosecutor.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>How Does Washington Law Address Unlawful Sexual Contact?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Washington law recognizes three degrees of rape: First-degree rape, second-degree rape, and third-degree rape. Washington criminal law also protects people from &quot;indecent liberties.&quot; These laws prohibit the use of physical force to coerce someone to engage in sexual conduct other than sexual intercourse.<\/p>\r\n<p>The following table highlights the main provisions of Washington\u2019s rape and sexual assault laws. You can find more at FindLaw&#8217;s articles on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/rape.html\">rape<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/statutory-rape.html\">statutory rape<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sex-offenders-and-sex-offenses.html\">sex offenders and sex offenses<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Washington Rape and Sexual Assault Laws Code Sections<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/wa\/title-9a-washington-criminal-code\/wa-rev-code-9a-44-010.html\" title=\"9a.44, et seq.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Chapter 9a.44 RCW, et seq.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Elements of Rape and Other Sexual Offenses Under Washington Law<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p><b>Rape: First Degree<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p>Forcible sexual intercourse without the victim\u2019s consent, where the perpetrator:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Uses or threatens a deadly weapon<\/li>\r\n<li>Kidnaps the victim<\/li>\r\n<li>Inflicts serious physical injury<\/li>\r\n<li>Enters into a building\/ car where the victim is located<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Rape: Second Degree<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p>Engaging in forcible sexual misconduct without the victim\u2019s consent, where:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The perpetrator uses forcible compulsion<\/li>\r\n<li>The victim is a vulnerable adult incapable of consent because of a physical, mental, or developmental disability<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Rape: Third Degree<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p>Engaging in forcible sexual intercourse without the victim\u2019s consent, where:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The victim expressed their lack of consent by words or conduct<\/li>\r\n<li>The perpetrator threatens their victim with substantial bodily injury or injury to their property<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><br>\r\n<b>Indecent Liberties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p>Engaging in forcible sexual contact without the victim\u2019s consent, where:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The perpetrator uses forcible compulsion<\/li>\r\n<li>The victim cannot consent to the sexual abuse because of a physical, mental, or developmental disability<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Penalties for Rape and Other Sexual Offenses Under Washington Law<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><ul>\r\n<li><b>Rape, First and Second Degree<\/b>: <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/wa\/title-9a-washington-criminal-code\/wa-rev-code-9a-20-021.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Class A felony<\/a> punishable by up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Rape, Third Degree<\/b>: Class C felony, punishable by five years in prison and a $10,000 fine<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Indecent Liberties<\/b>: Class A felony<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Definition of Sexual Intercourse Under Washington Law<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Penetration by a penis, tongue, finger, or an inanimate object.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Definition of Sexual Contact Under Washington Law<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>This offense involves touching someone&#8217;s sexual or intimate parts to gratify your sexual desire.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Does Washington Have Mandatory Sex Offender Registration?<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>People with a sex crime conviction <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/wa\/title-9a-washington-criminal-code\/wa-rev-code-9a-44-130.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">must register<\/a> with the Sex Offender Registry. Sex offenders who intentionally do not comply with the mandatory registration requirements by failing to register or providing false information face serious consequences, including returning to prison or jail.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<h2>Related Resources<\/h2>\r\n<p>With the passage of Washington Senate Bill 5649, the Washington legislature effectively removed the statute of limitations for several forms of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault, contact any of the following resources:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b>National Sexual Assault Hotline<\/b>: 1-800-656-HOPE<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wsp.wa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Washington State Law Enforcement<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>Charged With Violating Washington Rape and Sexual Assault Laws? Get Legal Help<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Conviction under Washington\u2019s rape and sexual assault laws could result in years in prison and adding your name to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.waspc.org\/sex-offender-information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">state sexual offender registry<\/a>. If you\u2019re facing charges of rape, sexual assault, or any other sex-related crime, contact an experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/washington\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sex crime attorney<\/a> in Washington.<\/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 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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 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