What punishment will the offender face for assaulting my daughter?

Full question:

I live in Connecticut with my husband and a daughter who is 9 years old. Last week, we hosted a party at home on our daughter’s birthday. While my daughter was upstairs in her room, one of our friends sneaked upstairs, beat her up and had sex with her without her consent. We have already lodged a complaint against the offender. I want to know about the punishment that will be given to him?

  • Category: Criminal
  • Subcategory: Statutory Rape
  • Date:
  • State: Connecticut

Answer:

In Connecticut, sexual assault laws apply when a person engages in nonconsensual sexual intercourse with someone under age sixteen. According to Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-70:

(a) A person is guilty of sexual assault in the first degree if they use force or threaten force to compel another person to engage in sexual intercourse.

(b) The penalties are as follows:

  • If the victim is under ten years old, the offender faces a class A felony, with a minimum sentence of ten years that cannot be suspended or reduced.
  • If the victim is under sixteen years old, the offender faces a class B felony, with a minimum sentence of five years that cannot be suspended or reduced.

Since your daughter is nine years old, the offender will likely be charged with a class A felony, resulting in a significant prison sentence.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

In Connecticut, sexual assault is defined as engaging in sexual intercourse without consent. This includes using force or threatening force to compel someone to participate in sexual acts. The law specifically protects minors, with harsher penalties for offenses involving victims under the age of sixteen. For example, if the victim is under ten, it is classified as a class A felony, while if the victim is under sixteen, it is classified as a class B felony. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-70) *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*