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Sexual penetration is the insertion of a body part or other object into abody orifice, such as themouth,vagina oranus, as part ofhuman sexual activity orsexual behavior in non-human animals.
The term is most commonly used instatute law in the context of proscribing certain sexual activities. Terms such as "sexual intercourse" or "carnal knowledge" are more commonly found in older statutes, while many moderncriminal statutes use the term "sexual penetration" because it is a broad term encompassing (unless otherwise qualified) any form of penetrative sexual activity, includingdigital (i.e., thefingers) or with an object, and may involve only the most minimal penetration. Some jurisdictions refer to some forms of penetration as "acts of indecency", or other terminology.
When apenis is inserted into a vagina, it is generally calledvaginal sex, vaginal intercourse,[1][2] or penis-in-vagina (PIV) sex.[3] When a penis penetrates another person'sanus, it is calledanal sex or anal intercourse.[4][5] Penetrativeoral sex may involve penetration of the mouth by a penis (fellatio) or the use of the tongue to penetrate a vagina orvulva (cunnilingus). The tongue may also penetrate the anus duringanilingus. If one or more fingers are used to penetrate an orifice, it is calledfingering or digital penetration. The insertion of an object, such as adildo,vibrator or othersex toy, into a person's genital area or anus may also be considered sexual penetration. Penetrative sex is referred to as coitus or connotative sex.
Penetrativesex crimes are generally considered more serious thannon-penetrative sex crimes,[6] and sexual penetration of a child even more so. A child below the statutoryage of consent cannot consent to acts involving sexual penetration. In laws, the termsexual penetration is commonly used in relation to sex with children. Unlawful sexual penetration is generally an offense irrespective of how deep the penetration was and irrespective of whetherejaculation of semen took place.
Laws may distinguish particular forms of sexual penetration as part of the offense. For example, the law in theU.S. state ofOregon provides:
"Unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree" is afelony that occurs where the offender "penetrates the vagina, anus or penis of another with any object other than the penis or mouth of the actor", if the victim is "subjected to forcible compulsion", or is "under 12 years of age", or "is incapable of consent by reason of mental defect, mental incapacitation or physical helplessness"
— Unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree, Oregon Statutes § 163.411
In theUnited Kingdom, sexually penetratinga relative is an offense.[7]
Various forms of penetration have at times been consideredobscene and been prohibited. Works containing such penetrations may be consideredpornography.[citation needed]
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