Indecent contact with a child - Iowa Sexual Assault Laws

In Iowa, the criminal charge of Indecent contact with a child is classified as a Statutory Aggravated misdemeanor.

Indecent contact with a child Crime & Punishment in Iowa :

The Iowa code § 709.12 defines one degrees of the crime indecent contact with a child, each with associated punishments. The degree of the crime depends on the specifics of the crime committed, with higher degrees of the charge generally receiving harsher punishments.

Severity	Indecent contact with a child - Charge Description	Punishment
Aggravated misdemeanor STATUTORY	If an offender aged 16 or 17 (if the victim is at least five years younger than the offender) engages in certain enumerated types of touching of a child, who is not the offender’s spouse (with or without the child’s consent), for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them. If an offender 18 or older engages in certain enumerated types of touching of a child, who is not the offender’s spouse (with or without the child’s consent), for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them.	Up to 1 year in prison

Iowa law allows indecent contact with a child to be enforced as a statutory charge. This means that this charge can be applied to cases in which the victim is younger than the Iowa Age of Consent, even if the victim willingly engages in sexual relations with the defendant.

Indecent contact with a child is a charge that is unique to Iowa. Crimes that would be prosecuted as indecent contact with a child in Iowa will be prosecuted under a different statute depending on the state in which the crime takes place.

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